New Inter coach Jose Mourinho, Lampard's former boss at Stamford Bridge, has made no secret of the fact he would like the England international in his squad.

But Lampard is under contract with the west London club for another year and Chelsea are adamant they will not sell him.

"We have done everything that was in our means. We cannot, certainly, take him away from Chelsea by force," Oriali told Mediaset TV.

"What is certain right now is that the player wants strongly to come to Inter."

Former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola does not believe the deal will go ahead unless the Premier League side have a change of heart.

He said: "If Chelsea have in their minds not to give way, Inter have no chance of signing Lampard, regardless of the player's wish."