Chelsea have not yet made a formal approach for Frank Lampard, according to Derby County chairman Mel Morris.
The Blues are currently searching for a new manager following Maurizio Sarri's departure to Italian champions Juventus on Sunday.
Lampard, who holds the goalscoring record at Chelsea with his 2011 strikes for the club between 2001 and 2014, is believed to have told Derby chiefs that he would like to return to Stamford Bridge should the Blues make a formal offer for his services.
Chelsea would need to pay Derby £4m in compensation for their former midfielder, who led the Rams to the Championship play-off final in his first year in management.
But Derby are keen to extend Lampard's stay at the club and, indeed, chairman Morris revealed that Chelsea have not yet approached the Championship side for the 40-year-old.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Morris said: "There is no change except that Chelsea no longer have a manager.
"We've made it clear to everyone, but most importantly to Frank, that we want to retain him for the long term.
"If Chelsea want to hire him, then it is in their gift to make an offer in pursuit of that.
"In the meantime, we'll continue to put our best foot forward to continue with our plans for the coming season and work with Frank, (and) for him to know how much he's wanted by everyone associated with the club."
