Derby County owner Mel Morris refuses to give up on keeping hold of manager Frank Lampard.
Morris has granted Lampard permission to speak with Chelsea this week.
But he also said this morning: "When Frank met me, from the first time we talked about this opportunity, even then we knew some stage this would happen.
"We just didn't know when and we thought it would be some way off.
"Right now it's still not a done deal as far as I am concerned. I am hoping this guy will manage us next season.
"At some point it will happen, whether now or in the future."
