Lampard to stay at Chelsea?

Chelsea blocked any chance of Lampard moving to Barcelona by rejecting a £12 million offer by the Spanish club.

The opening bid was to test the clubs resolve, but it looks like the Blues will be keeping the Englnd ace.

Barcelona are expected to now play the waiting game, tactics similar to those adopted by Real Madrid. They have until 31 August to try and get the midfielder on their team.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta and boss Frank Rijkaard consider Lampard to be an ideal addition to their squad and are willing to pay top dollar to secure his transfer. He would join other top footie stars Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho.

Lampards demands are not being met by Chelsea who he believes are under-valuing the player who has been a major factor in their successes this season. Chelsea boss Abromovich has told the club Chief Executive, Peter Kenyon to get Lampard re-signed, but unless they meet his demands he is likely to play out the remainder of his contract with the team and then look elsewhere in 2 years.