Manchester United ‘Planning to Grab Frank Lampard’

Are Manchester United considering signing Frank Lampard?

According to latest reports, Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to initiate a bid on the Chelsea midfielder who has reportedly fallen out with his manager Andre Villas-Boas of late.

The desperate move comes in the wake of the recent setbacks which the Red Devils have suffered chiefly due to the lacunae in the defensive midfield.

According to the Daily Mail, Lampard is also not averse to the idea of joining the United line-up.

However, there are several barriers remaining to be cleared before Sir Alex's plan materialises. The club's management will have to endorse a deal to purchase a player who earns more than £140,000 a week and would have no sell-on value for the club reeling under the Glazer debt, the Daily Mail report said.

The Chelsea management will also have to be convinced about such a deal with a major rival, the report noted.

Fergie, however, has high regard for Lampard, 33, and believes that he can contribute significantly to improve the fortunes of United. On his part, Lampard, who has completed 10 years at Stamford Bridge, is said to be keen to move on this summer especially after the recent bitter episodes which saw Villas-Boas refusing to acknowledge his match-winning potential.

Lampard has only18 months left in his contract but prefers to stay in the Premier League, the report said.