Chelsea Make Summer Transfer Budget Offer to Frank Lampard - it's Not Eye-Popping
By Max Cooper
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has been offered a surprisingly modest budget of £150m for the coming summer transfer window, despite the club's recent shortcomings in the market.
The Blues were unable to make any signings during the previous summer after being slapped with a transfer ban, while the London club then failed to bolster their squad in January even after the sanction was shortened, ignoring Lampard's calls for extra reinforcements.
Chelsea supporters may assume that the summer transfer window will be an opportunity to splash the cash for their young coach, but according to the Evening Standard, Lampard will only be handed a budget of £150m.
The former Derby County boss was desperate to bring in another striker in the recent winter window, with the likes of Edinson Cavani and Dries Mertens being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
But with neither deal materialising, Lampard has been forced to settle for his current options Tammy Abraham, the misfiring Michy Batshuayi and wantaway French star Olivier Giroud.
Giroud was eyeing a move away from the Blues in order to boost his game-time, as the Frenchman is still hopeful of retaining a starting place with his national team for the upcoming Euro 2020 competition.
But the 33-year-old's departure hinged on the arrival of a replacement, and with the club unable to get any deals over the line, he was unable to make his move.
Chelsea's number one attacking target is Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, but the French club was unwilling to allow their key forward to leave midway through the season. The Blues took the decision to wait for Dembele - who may command a fee in excess of £60m - to become available in the summer, rather than settling for a less prolific alternative.
RB Leipzig star Timo Werner has also caught Lampard's eye, but the German forward was always unlikely to leave the club in the midst of a Bundesliga title challenge.
Chelsea will also be keen to bring in a winger, with Pedro and Willian having the opportunity to leave the club on a free transfer, as both their deals expire in the summer.
Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jadon Sancho is expected to make a much-anticipated return to England in the summer, but Chelsea would have to stump up over £100m for the teenage sensation. Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is also on the Blues' radar, but the Eagles have shown over recent transfer windows that they are not willing to lose their Ivorian star without a fight.