Reports in England this morning claim Frank Lampard is set for face-to-face talks with Roman Abramovich early this week to iron out the details of his return to Chelsea as manager.

With Maurizio Sarri’s exit to Juventus now confirmed, Chelsea owner Abramovich will take a hands-on approach to appointing the first English manager of his 16 years at Stamford Bridge.

According to the Daily Mail, the Russian billionaire is expected to meet with Derby County boss Lampard in the coming days in a bid to finalise his appointment by the end of the week.

Abramovich has been seen at just one competitive Chelsea game all season – the Europa League final in Baku – but will step up his involvement to get Lampard, 40, in as his new head coach.

Derby will ask for £4million compensation in exchange for losing Lampard – although such a fee is not thought to be a problem for Chelsea and Abramovich.

Chelsea’s all-time record goalscorer will ask for patience in his new role, given that he cannot sign players for two windows under the club’s transfer ban, and will be tasked with embedding academy players into the first team.