Frank Lampard rules out Olivier Giroud exit as Dries Mertens transfer collapses

Frank Lampard has confirmed Chelsea will not be signing Dries Mertens from Napoli before tonight’s transfer deadline.

The Blues boss also insists Olivier Giroud is set to stay put at Stamford Bridge, despite rumoured interest from Tottenham.

Lampard has been eager to get his hands on a new striker this month to provide competition for Tammy Abraham at the pinpoint of his attack.

Reports coming out of Italy this week suggested he had identified Napoli ace Mertens, 32, as his top transfer target in the final days of the winter window.

And it seemed the Belgian’s potential arrival would signal the end for Giroud in west London.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference before Chelsea’s trip to Leicester tomorrow, though, Lampard put an end to the speculation surrounding his attack.

Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani’s name was then put forward. “I don’t want to play the game!” he responded.

“The window is probably 95 per cent shut for us,” he said.

“The answer will be no to most of the players you are saying. There are a few hours left but it looks like there will be no movement on both ins and outs.

Lampard then confirmed Giroud would not be joining arch-rivals Spurs before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

“We all know there has been interest,” he admitted.

“I’ve sat here at every press conference and said ‘If it’s right for Olivier, for myself and the club’ and he’s been impeccable in that period.

“I’ve got huge respect for him as a player. The answer again is no, as in will he leave? No.

“No ins means no outs.”

Giroud has been angling for a move away from Chelsea this month having fallen down the pecking order under Lampard this season.

The Frenchman, 33, has only made seven appearances for in the 2019/20 campaign, with Michy Batshuayi preferred as backup for No.1 marksman Tammy Abraham.

Abraham limped out of the Blues’ previous 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal, but Lampard has offered some positive injury news ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Leicester.

“Tammy trained today and felt okay,” he said. “We need to see if there is a reaction to that, because it was an impact injury.

“So we will see with Tammy and give him time. Other than that, we have no new injuries.”