Frank Lampard goal raises the rumour level at LA Galaxy

LESS THAN 48 hours after scoring the winner for England against Spain, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is being linked with LA Galaxy. According to the Daily Mail, the 33-year-old Lampard is seen by the American outfit as the perfect replacement for David Beckham, whose contract expires at the end of the month. The MLS side believe they need to fill the boots of Goldenballs with a player whose profile is similarly high and Lampard fits the bill.

In recent weeks, Lampard has rolled back the years with a string of sensational performances for club and country, and the Mail claims that "his name has been discussed" by Galaxy.

However, before Galaxy fans get carried away at the prospect of another ageing playmaker arriving for a big payday, the Mail cautions that such a move "could be problematic" because of Lampard's love interest. The England star is engaged to top TV totty Christine Bleakley and it's unknown if he'd be prepared to test the strength of the relationship by moving Stateside. Then again, says the Mail, Lampard "could relish a new challenge", not to mention the wages on offer.

Still with Chelsea and the Metro reports that the Blues fancy the look of Athletic Bilbao frontman Fernando Llorente. The news will dishearten Tottenham who are known to be keen on the 25-year-old Spanish striker but apparently Chelsea are making plans for the imminent departure of Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.

The Metro says the pair will be on their way out of the Bridge in the New Year as Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas looks to freshen up his frontline. Nicknamed 'The Lion King, the 6ft 5in Llorente was an unused sub in Spain's 1-0 defeat to England at Wembley on Sunday.

Could Manchester United's Portuguese winger Nani be on the move in the New Year? Yes, says the Mirror which claims the 24-year-old is at the centre of a tug of war between Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.

Nani has two years to run on his Old Trafford contract but the Mirror claims he is in need of a new challenge after growing stale in the Premier League. He's struggled to find his best form this season and with the trio of clubs said to be willing to pay around £30m for his services, boss Alex Ferguson is likely to cash in on the twinkle-toed playmaker in January.

The Star says that Manchester City muscle man Nigel de Jong is being pursued by Real Madrid with a £20m offer probable when the New Year transfer window opens. Apparently Jose Mourinho has sent his scouts to Eastlands to watch the Dutch midfielder in action for the Sky Blues, and the favourable reports he's received back have persuaded the 'Special One' to make a play for the 26-year-old.

City signed him from Hamburg in 2009 but negotiations to sign a contract extension have stalled and Real's offer might tempt De Jong to the Bernabeu. ·