Lampard wants contract sorted

FRANK LAMPARD insists that he wants to stay on at Chelsea for the rest of his career — but has called on the club to resolve talks over his future before the European Championships.

Lampard says talks over a new long-term deal have hit some “snags”, with the 25-year-old midfielder understood to be seeking equal wages with some of the club’s recent high-profile signings.

Given those circumstances, it is hardly surprising that the likes of Inter Milan have shown interest in the runner-up in the Premiership player of the season poll.

However, while Lampard says the apparent interest is flattering, chief executive Peter Kenyon said earlier this week “there is no question we will sell Frank Lampard”.

Now the England midfielder is calling on the club to translate that desire to keep him at Stamford Bridge into a firm offer of a long-term deal.

Lampard, who still has two years left on his existing contract, said: “The past three years have been the best and most enjoyable of my career.

“The relationship I have with the fans makes me want to stay here for the rest of my career.

If I was offered a long-term contract which enabled me to finish my career here, I would sign it as long as the circumstances were right.

“It’s unfortunate that people say it’s all down to money. Obviously, money plays a part but I think that I’ve worked hard to be an important player at this club and I just want to be rewarded. I’m not asking for anything more than that and hopefully it will happen.

“Former chief executive Trevor Birch was the first to approach me about signing a longer deal. Since then, I’ve started talking to Peter Kenyon.

“We hit a bit of a snag in the talks but hopefully the end will be that I sign a long contract to stay at the club.

“It would be nice to do it before the European Championships and be clear in my mind that I was settled here for a long time to come.”

One recent report stated that Lampard, who joined Chelsea from West Ham for £11 16.5 million in 2001, was a summer transfer target for Alex Ferguson.

But the England midfielder said: “I’m not going to Manchester United. I’m very happy here and I’m hoping we’ll get it sorted out. It’s much deeper than money. I feel very home here and my family have all converted to being Chelsea fans.”

Inter have nevertheless also shown interest in luring the midfielder to Italy.

Lampard, who has been a Premiership ever-present this season, is the frontrunner to be voted as Chelsea’s player of the season.