Derby County manager, Frank Lampard has disclosed that The Rams are edging closer to a deal with former Super Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose, but refused to make any categorical statement of the star’s prospects of sealing a contract.
Rather than speak in affirmative terms about the chances of Derby adding Ambrose to their squad this month, as a free agent, Lampard stressed that he will not want to jump the gun in speaking at length on the matter.
Footballlive.ng gathered that the former Chelsea star, who already has Nigerian-born defender, Fikayo Tomori is his team, is staying cautious over comments about Ambrose, who has played for Kaduna United, SC Ashdod of Israel as well as Celtic and Hibernian of Scotland in the past.
Ambrose, though would be banking on facts to follow Tomori as the next Nigerian stopper in the squad that once had ex-Eagles defender, Taribo West on their cards.
Ambrose’s hope will be hinging on the fact that Derby turned their attention on the free agent market after their reliable stopper, Curtis Davies underwent surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Ambrose made himself available for a deal, after he triggered a clause in his contract and executed his release from Hibernian, which he earlier joined on loan from Celtic in February 2017 and then made it permanent.
Lampard confirmed that Ambrose is already training with The Rams at Pride Park and acknowledged that a deal is in the offing, but stopped short of making a final verdict on the stopper’s expected signing.
The player-turned-gaffer, who is also being touted to take over from Maurizio Sarri at his former club, Chelsea, said: ”It’s close to being finalised but not quite done, so I don’t want to jump the gun.”
