Hammers turn down £12m for Frank

West Ham today rejected a £12 million bid for their unsettled midfield player Frank Lampard.

Lampard, 22, is adamant he wants to leave the Upton Park club following the departure of his father Frank and uncle Harry Redknapp.

The managerial pair were sacked a fortnight ago.

West Ham would not divulge the identity of the club involved but it is believed to be John Gregory's Aston Villa.

"We have had a firm offer of £12m for Frank," confirmed West Ham managing director Paul Aldridge today, "but we are sticking to our original valuation."

West Ham want in the region of £14m for Romford-born Lampard with Villa, Leeds and Chelsea rumoured to be interested.

The club have also confirmed that the new manager will have all the money from any sale to spend on a replacement.