Jose Mourinho has admitted that Frank Lampard is still very much in his thoughts as he targets a new midfielder before the end of the summer.

Lampard played under Mourinho as Chelsea won the Premier League title in 2004/05 and again the following season.

Mourinho was recently appointed as the new boss of Inter Milan and he immediately identified Lampard as one of his top transfer targets.

However, Inter failed with a bid of £7.95million last week and Chelsea have made it clear they will not enter into negotiations over Lampard.

Mourinho is willing to wait though, as speculation suggests Lampard has yet to make his mind up over whether to stay at Stamford Bridge.

"The transfer window is open until August 31 and we need a midfielder," Mourinho told a news conference on Inter's first day back for pre-season training.

"Lampard is at Chelsea, but I have worked really well with him.

"I worked with Frank for three-and-a-half years, there is an unforgettable relationship. But in this moment I respect players and the clubs."

Mourinho has also been linked with a move for Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma but his first priority will be to reduce the size of his squad.

He said: "I like Quaresma, but he is at Porto. Anyway, the squad needs trimming. I want to work with 22 players at most, plus the goalkeepers."

Jose Mourinho admits it will be 'difficult' for Inter Milan to sign Frank Lampard this summer, with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon reiterating the midfielder will not be sold.

Lampard is a target for Inter, with the Italian champions' president Massimo Moratti having claimed the 30-year-old wants to move to Serie A.

Chelsea have rejected an offer of almost £8million for the England international and want Lampard to fulfil the final year of his Stamford Bridge contract.

Former Blues boss Mourinho now accepts that it is more likely that the player will head to the Giuseppe Meazza on a free transfer in 12 months' time.
Easier

"For him, it's easier to end his deal by playing with Chelsea than to suddenly break it now," Inter coach Mourinho told Portuguese channel TV1.

"It seems to me difficult that he could arrive now, it would be easier that he could arrive next season."

Speaking upon Chelsea's arrival for a pre-season tour of China, chief executive Kenyon confirmed that Lampard will not be sold, even if he does not agree a contract extension.

No change

Kenyon said: "As Felipe (Scolari) said Frank is here, he has been training very well and there is no change in the position.

"We want Frank to stay, but if we cannot agree he will honour the last year of his contract.

"We do not sell our best players and there will be no more discussions about this while we are out here as this trip is about preparation and playing."

Meanwhile, Mourinho has expressed his admiration for Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma, who has been linked with a move to Inter.

Mourinho added: "It would be interesting to work with him and I'm sure, also, that Quaresma would willingly work with me.

"But I'm Inter's coach and not a Porto official."

i dont think this one will be going through now..i think the best chance of seeing him in an inter top will be either on these forums or next season when hes available on a free!