Report: Chelsea set to appoint Lampard

Chelsea are expected to announce the hiring of Frank Lampard next week, sources told ESPN FC's Liam Twomey.

The west London side is reportedly prepared to pay £4 million to release Lampard from his contract with Championship side Derby County, where he spent his first year as a manager.

A three-year contract is waiting for Lampard at Stamford Bridge, according to Twomey.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich identified the 41-year-old as the ideal replacement for Maurizio Sarri, who departed for Juventus after a single season in England.

Lampard would find several familiar faces at Chelsea, including old teammate Petr Cech, who returned to the club as a technical and performance adviser on Friday.

The former midfielder became the club's all-time leading scorer during his 13 years with the Blues.