Cape Town - Derby County are determined to retain the services of manager Frank Lampard, with Chelsea reportedly viewing the former England midfielder as a perfect replacement for Maurizio Sarri.
Pride Park bosses appear determined not to let Lampard leave for former club Chelsea without a fight, and will offer him improved terms in a bid to ward off interest.
Derby are still braced for an approach from Chelsea, who are understood to want Lampard to replace Sarri in the Stamford Bridge hotseat.
Juventus are poised to unveil Sarri as their new manager on a three-year deal, with Chelsea having secured a compensation package it is understood could rise as high as £10million.
Lampard notched a club-record 211 goals in a stellar Chelsea career from 2001 to 2014, and racked up 106 caps for England.
The 40-year-old has had just one year in management, but steered Derby to the Championship play-offs in his sole campaign.
He has two years left on his current Derby contract, but the club are understood to want to tie him down to a long-term deal.
Lampard's assistant Jody Morris could also make a return to his former club, to bolster the Blues' backroom staff.