Reputable source says Frank Lampard set to be confirmed by Chelsea

The Evening Standard report that Chelsea are set to confirm Frank Lampard as their new manager this week.

Lampard has been the bookies’ favourite to replace Maurizio Sarri ever since the Italian left for Juventus earlier this month and talks between the two parties are understood to have taken place.

Lampard has been away on holiday in the south of France, but he has been in negotiations about returning to Stamford Bridge from Derby.

His old Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba confirmed over the weekend that talks had taken place and insisted 41-year-old Lampard was the right man for the job in an Instagram live video.

Asked who he though would be the best Chelsea manager, Drogba replied: “The one who is in talks now to get the job – Frank Lampard.”

The tabloid claim that “the club did not comment when contacted this morning” but they are sure Lampard is closing in on an emotional return to west London.

Last week the Daily Express reported that Lampard had told his Derby players that he will quit to take over at Chelsea, as long as he gets the right offer.

The finer details of the contract are now believed to be close to being resolved with a three-year deal likely for the former England ma

Lampard still has two years remaining on the deal at Derby he signed last summer with Derby owner Mel Morris claiming at the start of last week that there had been no formal approach.

That is believed to have changed now and Derby will be owed around £4million in compensation – a figure which may rise if Lampard takes his assistants Jody Morris and Chris Jones with him.