Chelsea have assured Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Marco van Ginkel he won't be signed just to be loaned out next season.Chelsea are competing with Manchester United for the young Dutchman.

The Sunday Times says Chelsea and Vitesse are in advanced negotiations with a fee of about £8m mooted for the tall and technical Van Ginkel, who scored eight times in the Eredivisie in 2012-13.

The plan would be to introduce him to Chelsea's first team gradually next season. Lampard, 35 last Friday, will be used sparingly and the likely sale of John Obi Mikel should give the Dutchman a chance to establish himself.