Chelsea boss Lampard to return to former club Derby for £5m midfield starlet Max Bird in shock summer transfer
CHELSEA may have to cough up at least £5million if they want to see Max Bird swap his Derby shirt for a Blues strip.
Bird, 19, who partners Wayne Rooney in the Rams’ midfield, is said have impressed Frank Lampard during his time in charge at Pride Park.
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The teenager, who has just over two years remaining on his current contract, has played 27 times in Derby’s first team.
And eight of those appearances in central midfield were when Lampard was in charge.
claim the Rams are unlikely to let their promising academy prospect leave for less than £5million.
The club see Bird, who was a regular scorer and playmaker at youth level, as one of the best talents to emerge from their academy.
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But with the coronavirus crisis affecting the coffers of Championship sides, the Rams could be at risk of having to sell the highly-rated player.
Derby, who are currently twelfth and 20 points behind league leaders Leeds, have a slim chance of reaching the play-offs when the season resumes.
But they will have to close the gap of five points on sixth-placed Preston.
Meanwhile former Rams boss Lampard could soon be sealing a deal with another talented teenager.
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England Under-19 star Tino Anjorin is expected to sign a five-year contract with Chelsea according to reports.
And he has heaped praise on Billy Gilmour, 18, claiming he's the brightest star on show at training.
Lamps also admitted he has held the young Scot back too much after he shined before the coronavirus lockdown.