French football team, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), are in the market for a new midfielder, with Chelsea and England favourite, Frank Lampard, topping Carlo Ancelotti’s wish-list for the January transfer window. The development means that at least three major teams, namely PSG, LA Galaxy, and Manchester United, are now eager to recruit Lampard.
If you believe the tabloids, PSG are interested in signing any player with his own boots and a five-digit salary in a bid to boost their chances in the gambling online odds of dominating in Europe over the next five years. The Ligue 1-topping side have been linked to Carlos Tevez, of Manchester City, Inter Milan’s Thiago Motta, and estranged PSG star, Alex, who is currently plying his trade at Stamford Bridge.
The French club have reportedly approached Chelsea chief, Andre Villas-Boas, regarding Lampard’s future, but it is unknown, at present, if PSG have made an official offer for the 33-year-old.
However, the fact that PSG have been so brazen as to approach Chelsea about Lampard says a lot about how his role in the Londoners’ side has changed since Villas-Boas was employed, last year. Once a staple in the Chelsea team, Lampard has fallen foul of the Portuguese manager’s plans to field younger players.
Lampard, one of Chelsea’s most prolific goalscorers, is believed to be valued at around £14m, his lowest-ever price. PSG are more than capable of footing the bill for the player, having been bought out by the Qatar Investment Authority, in May 2011, but it remains to be seen whether Lampard is willing to play in mainland Europe.
With regards to the possibility of playing for Manchester United, Lampard’s links to Chelsea may keep him away from the Red Devils on principle. The fact that Alex Ferguson is increasingly shy of purchasing anybody but the ‘right player’ may also scupper any possible move north for Lampard.
The LA Galaxy, who currently count Robbie Keane and David Beckham among their ranks, stand as reasonably strong adversaries to PSG’s advances on Lampard. “The [Galaxy] owners are very persuasive, so of course there is a chance”, explained David Beckham, who recently signed a two year contract with LA.
With just 18 months remaining on Lampard’s term at Chelsea, his future is likely to be subject to a great deal of speculation in the sport news over the next few months.
