Lampard To Invoke FIFA Clause For Barca Move - Report
Barcelona have made Frank Lampard their number one target, and will ask him to buy out the final two years of his contract if a swap deal involving Deco is not accepted, as is likely.
zoom - galleria The Blues' recent snub towards Barcelona's approach has convinced the Blaugrana bosses to go for an agreessive buy-out of Lampard's contract.
The Times had reported yesterday that Barca were ready to dish out 22 million euros (15 million pound) in order to land the Chelsea midfielder.
Better still, they were hopeful of sending Jose Mourinho's old favourite, Deco, the other way in a swap deal.
However, Chelsea have refused to entertain Barca's interest, and have also told them clearly that they are not keen on the Portuguese international (they would rather sign Florent Malouda).
As a result of the latest developments, Barcelona will now not speak with Chelsea, but instead finance Frank Lampard's 10million buy-out of the final two years of his contract.
Fifa rules allow players over 28 who have spent more than three years at their clubs to buy out the rest of their contract.
Though clubs have not used it much thus far, over a gentleman's agreement not to use this rule to poach players, the Catalans will resort to just that unless Chelsea change their minds come to the negotiating table.
Deco would then most probably move to Inter Milan for around 15 million euros, exactly the money Barcelona will spend on Lampard.