Milan, May 20:

Chelsea’s Champions League final preparations have been jolted by reports that midfielder Frank Lampard could be set to move to Inter Milan.

Italian newspapers reported today that transfer negotiations were at an advanced stage but that no announcement would be made before Wednesday’s Champions League final in Moscow between Chelsea and Manchester United.

“Inter after Lampard,” was the banner headline on the front-page of sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. Another paper, Corriere dello Sport, quoted Inter president Massimo Moratti as praising both Lampard and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard.

“They are both very good, but it’s not easy to buy them,” Moratti was quoted as saying. “As far as Gerrard is concerned I think it is really hard, but for Lampard, we’ll see.” “There’s talk (of him) for our market transfers, but he’s a player who’ll play the Champions League final. It will also depend on how that game goes.”

Lampard’s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of next season. Both sides have failed to reach agreement so far on a contract extension for the 29-year-old England international. Lampard’s agent, Steve Kutner, insisted no decision on the player’s future would be made until later in the summer.