Frank Lampard moved closer to an £8million transfer to
Inter Milan on Monday night after the Italians confirmed that the
Chelsea midfielder is their No 1 target. Chelsea and Lampard's
representatives denied a deal had been done when reports first
emerged. But Massimo Moratti, Inter's owner and president, says new
manager Jose Mourinho wants to sign Lampard and Chelsea's apparent
reluctance to object publicly to the comments suggest they may not
stand in the way of a player who is 30 on Friday.
In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Moratti said:
'Lampard? He's our No 1 objective. Mourinho likes Lampard a lot and
we all know he's a great player.'
Moratti suggested contact had already been made between the
clubs and, although that was news to Chelsea, they are now
anticipating an official approach.
Mourinho, meanwhile, has defended Luiz Felipe Scolari's decision
to announce his intention to join Chelsea during the European
Championship.
He said: 'For me it is completely normal and Portugal boss
Scolari has acted in the right way. It was impossible to delay or
hide his decision. I wish him the best luck for "my Chelsea". They
will always be mine, except if the Champions League draw puts us
face to face.'