Barca rubbish Lampard rumours
Reports claimed that Terry and Lampard may not be team-mates much longer
Monday, 06, Aug 2007 08:53
Barcelona vice-president Albert Vicens has swept aside speculation that the Catalan giants might yet swoop for Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.
Reports resurfaced at the weekend that the England star could be subject to a bid from the Nou Camp with Portuguese playmaker Deco touted as a makeweight in a potential deal.
Blues manager Jose Mourinho previously coached Deco as part of his Champions League-winning Porto side while Lampard's Spanish fiancé is thought to be keen on a return to her hometown.
But Vicens issued a categorical denial that any such arrangement was in the offing between the two clubs.
"I am in Ibiza on holiday and I am most surprised by this news because I am not in any negotiations. We have never negotiated with Lampard about his arrival in January," he said.
Lampard has two years remaining on his current deal at Stamford Bridge and under Fifa rules could buy out the remainder of that contract freeing himself to move on to a bumper pay-day at a host of Europe's top clubs.
Chelsea captain John Terry, a close friend of Lampard's, recently ended his own stand-off with the club's hierarchy to sign a reported £135,000-a-week extension to his contract.