Football: Lampard in talks with Chinese team

BEIJING: Chelsea star Frank Lampard could be a step closer to following former teammates Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka with a move to China, after Guizhou Renhe confirmed they were in talks with him. The England international midfielder has been linked since March with a move to the Chinese Super League. But speculation intensified after Renhe Chairman Dai Yongge was quoted in the domestic press on Saturday as saying that Lampard had signed. “Yes, we are in contact with Lampard but so far nothing has been settled,” said deputy board chairman Yang Xiaoyu. A winter arrival would give the 34-year-old time to settle in before the 2013-14 Chinese Super League season begins in March. His contract with Chelsea is due to expire in June and he is unlikely to receive a new deal with the European champions.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2012.