Fergie set to make shock move for Lampard

ALEX FERGUSON wants to sign Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s disaffected midfield star.

Manchester United made enquiries about the player who Ferguson is a long-standing and fervent admirer of.

Lampard’s spectacular fall from favour at The Bridge, which has led to allegations he and his manager are no longer on civil speaking terms, has offered a window of opportunity for Ferguson to shore up United’s crumbling midfield. Rumour circulated at St James Park on Wednesday night that United CEO David Gill had already met Chelsea officials to explore the possibilities of a deal, although this has not yet been confirmed.

Moreover, the parties involved are said to accept that any deal will be very hard to push to fruition.

The Glazers are expected to baulk at paying a minimum of €120,000-a-week to a player in his 30s, and Chelsea’s directors would prefer to sell to anyone but United.

Nonetheless, the fact Ferguson is prepared to undertake such a bold approach for a player so closely identified with a bitter rival club will come as a massive surprise to many United fans.