MILAN, Italy (AP) - Inter Milan is stepping up its bid to reunite Frank Lampard with Jose Mourinho.
The Milan club has sent a fax to Chelsea asking to open negotiations for the midfielder, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported Monday.
Mourinho, who was recently hired to replace Roberto Mancini at Inter, previously coached Lampard for three seasons at Chelsea.
Inter is reportedly willing to pay a 10 million (US$15.7 million) transfer fee for Lampard, and has ready a four-year contract worth 7.5 million (US$11.75 million) per season.
The 30-year-old Lampard is known for his consistency with Chelsea, having played in 62 games for the London club last season. In December, 2005, a virus forced him to break a record streak of 164 consecutive games played in the Premier League.
However, England fans have been frustrated by Lampard's performances for the national team, where he struggles to make an impact alongside Liverpool's Steven Gerrard in midfield