Paper round-up: Chinese giants eye Lamps
Frank Lampard could follow the trail blazed by his former Chelsea team-mates Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba by heading to China's Super League – and he might be paid £250,000 a week for doing so, says the Sun.
The paper reports that the 34-year-old midfielder is a target for both Shanghai Shenhua - for whom both Drogba and Anelka play - and rivals Beijing Guoan.
Lampard’s Chelsea contract expires in the summer, when he would be a free agent, and he appears certain to leave the club he joined from West Ham in 2001.
The Blues' policy is to offer only one-year contracts to players aged 30 or over, and Lampard would be likely to get a longer deal than that in either China or America, where he has been linked with a move to LA Galaxy.
Meanwhile, back in the more real world, there’s a pattern to being a Crystal Palace fan these days: watch promising young player come through the ranks after being developed by the club, watch him come to the attention of some Premier League predator, and watch him disappear from Selhurst Park.
The Daily Mail reports that the latest in a long line of people to fit that bill could be Wilfried Zaha who, early in the season though it is, has already produced some dazzling displays and goals.
The teenage forward has been watched by former Arsenal assistant manager Pat Rice, the Mail reports, saying the Gunners have sent scouts to keep tabs on him at several games.
Palace are reported to value the 19-year-old at around £12 million, but the Gunners are likely to be tempted to meet that valuation, especially if they fail to persuade Theo Walcott to sign a new Emirates deal.
Another Championship side who need to keep an eye on their star asset are Burnley, if the Sun is to be believed.
The Lancashire club’s season has been a blizzard of goals so far - both for and against - and nobody has contributed more than Charlie Austin, the former Swindon striker who has 15 to his name. That’s got Reading, who released Austin back when he was a schoolboy, interested, and the Sun says they could shell out up to £4 million for the 23-year-old.
And finally (and also from the Sun) Being: Liverpool are looking to strengthen their Back: Four, and they could do that by signing Angelo Ogbonna from Torino.
According to reports in Italy, Anfield scouts have watched the 24-year-old, who is rated at more than £15 million, at several matches in recent weeks.



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