Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez refused to rule out a January sale of Frank Lampard, while the man who is rumored to be his replacement - Miralem Pjanic - said he was flattered to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Lampard admitted, during Chelsea's ill-fated trip to Japan for the Club World Cup, his career with the club he has been with since 2001 could be coming to an end.
The England midfielder is yet to be offered a new deal by the Chelsea board, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Lampard, along with Ashley Cole, whose contract also ends in the summer, are expected to move on come the end of the season, as the Blues look to the youth brigade.
The 34-year-old has been linked with moves to L.A. Galaxy, Monaco and even Arsenal, with Benitez coy when asked about Lampard's future.
"The future of players is always the same," Benitez said when asked if the veteran could leave in January. "I can't say too much.
"He is fully committed to every training session and every game.
"He is an important player for us but I can't say too much about how he feels (about his future). I'm happy with his attitude."
According to reports, Chelsea have zeroed-in on Pjanic as the man to replace Lampard in the Blues lineup, when the England international bids goodbye to Stamford Bridge, with the club lining up a £12 million bid ($19.5 million).
The Roma playmaker has admitted in the past he would be open to a move to the English Premier League, and admitted to being "flattered" with the links, but said he was quite happy to remain in Italy, while refusing to rule out a move in the future.
"I am flattered to be linked with a team such as Chelsea, a European Cup winner, but I have a contract here at Roma," the 22-year-old former Lyon player said.
"Could I replace Frank Lampard? He is a legend there. He has done so much for the club and I hope to achieve such feats myself one day."
