But the 29-year-old, who has two years left to run on his current deal at Stamford Bridge, insists that he wants to stay at the club until the end of his career.

"I have always expressed my desire to stay at the club," said Lampard.

"Unfortunately we have had problems with the negotiations. They have gone on a long time. Now the season has started, I have told the club I do not really want to get involved in negotiations which are not going to end well while I am playing football, because this is a big season for me and for the club.

"My intention is to stay. I have got two years left on my contract.

"I want to stay for the rest of my career. It is as simple as that.

"I hope it gets sorted and that it gets sorted soon, at the end of the season, or the next time (we talk) - and the club know that.

"The club know my intentions, and it is certainly not a money issue."

Lampard - who has often been linked with a move to Barcelona - believes it is better to delay discussions, rather than risk him losing focus for the new campaign.