Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Cole to Open Talks with Real Madrid over Summer Move; Fiorentina Admit Interest in Signing Lampard

Jan 11, 2013 12:32 AM EST
James Milner Manchester City Ashley Cole Chelsea
Manchester City midfielder James Milner (L) vies for possession with Chelsea defender Ashley Cole in their English Premier League game, November 25"

 

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is desperate for a move to Real Madrid with his agent flying to Spain in a bid to manufacture a move, while Fiorentina are the latest Italian club to show their interest in Frank Lampard.

Both Cole and Lampard are expected to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, with neither of them offered a new deal, which would have extended their stay at Stamford Bridge.

Cole has been widely tipped to sign for Paris Saint Germain, although the French club recently played down the chances of that move materializing.

Instead, it now looks like Real Madrid is the likely destination for the left-back, with Fabio Coentrao expected to leave the club in the summer.

The 31-year-old is keen on a move to Spain to play out the final years of his career, with his agent jetting off to Madrid to talk to the Spanish club's officials, according to the Daily Mail.

With just six months remaining in his contract, Cole is free to talk to clubs outside England and come to a pre-contract agreement.

Cole, like Lampard, has also been linked with a move to Manchester United at the end of the season, but it is understood the left-back would prefer to join Real with Carlo Ancelotti, his former coach at Chelsea, expected to replace Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho has fallen out with the Real board and is expected to resign at the end of the season, with Ancelotti one of the favorites to replace the Portuguese.

Meanwhile, Lampard could be on his way to Italy at the end of the season, with Fiorentina joining the list of clubs interested in signing the prolific 34-year-old.

Lazio and Juventus have already publicly stated their intent to try and sign the England international, with the likes of Monaco and L.A. Galaxy also linked.

 "Lampard is a player I have always liked and may be an example of today's marketplace," Fiorentina president Mario Cognigni said. "A player who has passed 30 years, his contract is expiring, and he may be the right combination between experience and cost of the deal."

The Chelsea legend has not entirely ruled out a stay in England, with United looking like his likeliest destination, were he to remain in the Premier League.

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