Chelsea plot major transfer move despite remaining managerless

The Daily Mail claims that Barcelona midfielder Deco is set to sign for Chelsea in the next few days, paving the way for popular vice-captain Frank Lampard to leave the club.

Deco seems set to join Chelsea after reportedly turning down the chance to join Jose Mourinho’s Internazionale and it is expected that the deal will cost as much as £15 million to bring the Portuguese star to Stamford Bridge.

Deco had been strongly linked with a move to the London club before signing for Spanish giants Barcelona in 2004. Deco had told a Portuguese radio station that he wanted to follow former Porto boss Jose Mourinho to Chelsea until he signed for Barca.

Deco is said to have discussed the move with fellow Portuguese and Chelsea players Ricardo Carvalho and Bosingwa and the move will undoubtedly refuel links of both Frank Rijkaard and Felipe Scolari filling the vacant managers spot at Stamford Bridge, as both have close links with Deco.

The former- ‘UEFA Midfielder of the Year’ would be a huge signing for Chelsea, as Abramovich demands a higher quality of football to be played at Stamford Bridge next year. And Deco would certainly fall under the needs for the category, proving to be one of the most skillful and creative midfielders in Europe over the past few years.

The Daily Mailgoes on to claim that the move for Deco will clear the way for Lampard to leave the club this summer, by using Deco as a direct replacement for the England midfielder.

Lampard is due to hold talks over his future late this month with Chelsea director Peter Kenyon, and reports suggest that he is to tell Kenyon that he wants to leave England to join former mentor Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

The move would be a huge blow to the Chelsea faithful who hold Lampard in the highest regard, and for the club who supported Lampard through his recent personal problems.

Lampard has been strongly linked with a move to the San Siro ever since owner Massimo Moratti claimed that Lampard had agreed to join the Italian side before the UEFA Champions League Final. The hiring of close friend and former mentor Jose Mourinho is only likely to increase the speculation surrounding Lampard.

[Source: The Daily Mail]