Derby are reportedly set to offer Frank Lampard a new bumper deal in an attempt to fend off interest from Chelsea.
The Blues legend is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Maurizio Sarri in the Stamford Bridge hotseat this summer.
Sarri was appointed Juventus’ new boss last weekend after spending just one season in west London, where he won the Europa League and secured a third-placed Premier League finish.
After Lampard’s impressive debut managerial season, which saw Derby reach the Championship play-off final, Chelsea are keen to bring him back to the club.
And in a last-ditch effort to keep the former England midfielder, The Mirror claim Derby have offered him a lucrative £10million contract.
Rams chairman Mel Morris is believed to be willing to pay Lampard an annual £2.5million salary on a four-year deal.
The Championship club will get a £4million compensation fee if Lampard leaves, but earlier this week, Morris revealed he had not received an official approach from Chelsea.
In a statement, he said: “We have made it very clear to everyone, but most importantly to Frank, that we want to retain Frank for the long term.
“If Chelsea want to hire Frank, then it is in their gift to make an offer in pursuit of that.
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“In the meantime, we will continue to put our best foot forward to continue with our plans for the coming season and work with Frank for him to know how much he is wanted by everyone associated with the club.”
Lampard is expected to tell Morris he wants to join Chelsea when he returns from his summer holiday in Saint-Tropez.