Chelsea owner Abramovich, Coach Scolari in squabble over Lampard's retention
9 Jul 2008, 1554 Hrs

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London, July 9 (ANI): Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the team's coach Phil Scolari are reportedly at loggerheads over retaining mid-field striker Frank Lampard

Lampard and Chelsea management have already had six hours of negotiations over a new contract, but the issue remains stalemated.

New Blues boss Scolari, however, insists that Lampard will stay, while Abramovich has refused to sanction the new five-year deal Lampard is demanding.

Lampard's agent issued a statement insisting Scolari's comments were inaccurate and that no new deal had been finalised.

Italy's Inter Milan football club is using the rift by making a second bid for the England star, raising the offer from 6.5million pounds to 8 million pounds.

It now seems certain that Lampard's love affair with Stamford Bridge is over - with the player feeling betrayed by a club that will not reward his loyalty with a new long-term deal.

On Monday, Scolari had told the 30-year-old he would be able to get the go-ahead for the new deal.

But after just one day in charge, the Brazilian seems to have already been undermined by Abramovich - who refuses to give in to Lampard's call for 140,000 pound a week for five years.

Amazingly, Scolari still told the world's media at a press conference that he believed the England midfielder would stay. (ANI)