Frank Lampard is close to agreeing a deal with LA Galaxy that will see the Chelsea midfielder play in the MLS next season — but he will definitely remain at Stamford Bridge for the rest of the current campaign.
Lampard has already been told by Chelsea that his current deal will not be renewed and can leave on a free transfer in the summer.
The 34-year-old is allowed to talk to foreign clubs this month and sign a pre-contract agreement and it is understood that discussions with LA Galaxy are at an advanced stage and he is ready to commit to a move.
LA Galaxy have identified him as a long-term replacement for David Beckham, who left in November. They are prepared to pay him the same salary as Beckham, which was around £4million a year.
The club are allowed to offer such a figure, despite the strict salary cap that exists in the competition, due to the ‘Designated Player’ rule, which was brought in to help teams compete in the transfer market for big names.
LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena revealed Lampard is in the running. He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if over the next week or so, we’re going to have some kind of decision we’re going to make with a Designated Player.”
When asked specifically about Lampard, he said: “We wouldn’t rule that out. It’s always a possibility.”
Lampard has already been to see LA Galaxy, when he was a guest in the suite of the club’s owners AEG for the match against Philadelphia Union in July and sat with Beckham.
