Chelsea expect England captain John Terry to release a statement pledging his future to the club in the next few days.
So far, the player has chosen to say nothing about where he will be playing next season but his silence over Manchester City's two bids to sign him has led to further speculation that he might be tempted by a move to Eastlands.
Sources inside Stamford Bridge insist relations between club and player have not deterioriated during the City saga and say he is taking an active part in their pre-season tour to the USA as usual.
The club are also reported to be considering rewarding Terry's loyalty by raising his wages to £150,000 a week in a further attempt to persuade him to snub City who are likely to up their current bid for the player from £30m to £40m.
City boss Mark Hughes has spoken about his desire to sign the 28-year-old and comments suggesting the defender needs a new challenge have angered Chelsea.
The club have considered reporting Hughes to the Premier League for what could be interpreted as an illegal approach although no official complaint has yet been made.
Terry's friend Frank Lampard, who was tempted to join Inter Milan last summer only to sign a new five-year deal to stay at Chelsea, insists he doesn't blame his team-mate if he feels tempted by City's offer.
He said: "I had an option to leave last summer, to go with a manager who I love, but it came at a time in my life that, maybe, just wasn't right.
"But the situation made me think an awful lot. It wasn't an easy decision, either, and I don't think people should criticise John. I don't know what he will do, but everyone at the club wants him to stay. The fact is you can never take away what he's done for Chelsea. He'll always be a legend. I hope and I'm confident that, whatever happens, he will continue to be considered a legend here.
"People should respect his right to choose. When you're a successful player this kind of thing is going to happen and then you have to make a decision. John's a very honourable man and it doesn't come down to money and things like that. I know he'll be thinking about what's the right thing to do as a player and, in the longer term, for his career."
Read More
Terry didn't let the speculation over his position affect him in the club's first game of their USA tour against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, where goals from Daniel Sturridge and Lampard secured a comfortable 2-0 victory.
