Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has been strongly linked with a move to Chinese club Guizhou Renhe. Initially, Renhe chairman Dai Yongge claimed that Lampardwould join the team in January as its captain, but Rehne’s deputy board chairman Yang Xiayou was later quoted as saying that while the club had made contact with the34-year-old, no deal had been signed. Last month, Lampard was also heavily linked with a move to MLS.
The player’s agent has declined to comment on any speculation regarding hisfuture. Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo also dismissed the rumors following his team’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.
Lampard has publicly expressed his desire tostay at Stamford Bridge but also admitted that talks with the club over a new deal have stalled in recent months. The England midfielder is believed to want more than a 1-year contract extension,while the club has a policy of not offering more than that to players over 30.
Former teammates Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka now both play for ShanghaiShenua in the Chinese Super League and are believed to earn nearly $400,000 a week.