FRANK LAMPARD has told Derby players he will join Chelsea if Roman Abramovich comes up with the right offer.
Lampard, who turned 41 yesterday, is currently in St Tropez – while the Blues' billionaire owner's £380million super-yacht is moored in the French Riviera.
The pair were set for talks ahead of him being handed the dream birthday present with a return to Stamford Bridge.
Lampard played for Abramovich for 13 years and left as the club’s all-time record scorer with 211 goals.
He is the fans’ overwhelming choice to become the new boss.
Chelsea will pay £4m compensation to Championship side Derby for the two years left on his Pride Park contract.
Abramovich has yet to make an official approach to the Rams but relations between the clubs are relaxed.
Lampard will not let his emotional connections get the better of him during talks and wants assurances he will get time to make the job work.
Although he did have to put up with pals singing 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' to him as he partied with wife Christine and friends at a St Tropez restaurant yesterday.
Frank's mind made up
Derby hope to hold on to Lampard, who led them to the Championship play-off final last season.
Owner Mel Morris said this week: "There's no change in the situation at present, except for the fact that Chelsea no longer have a manager.
"Of course, 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.
"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."
SunSport revealed trigger-happy Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will give Lamps time to find his feet – unless he has a catastrophic start.
The Blues are subject to a transfer ban, which means they cannot replace Eden Hazard after his £150m switch to Real Madrid.
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