Pato scored 14 goals in 25 appearances last season, despite being plagued by minor injuries all through the campaign.

Reports have emerged of a possible Chelsea bid for AC Milan's Brazilian star Alexandre Pato in a player-plus-cash deal.

The Daily Mirror has reported that Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will attempt to persuade owner Roman Abramovich to sanction £30 million, which is inclusive of a player-plus-cash deal, to lure the 21-year-old to London.

This isn't the first time Chelsea are linked with the Brazilian. When Carlo Ancelotti took the reins at the club two years ago, talks were ripe of a possible move for the player, though a bid never materialized.

One of Villas-Boas's primary targets this season is to get the best out of £50 million striker Fernando Torres, and Pato could help to that effect.

The report goes on to state that Chelsea will offer £30 million plus Nicholas Anelka to secure his services.

Elsewhere, Chelsea veteran Frank Lampard insisted that he continue to play at the highest level, despite his age.

The veteran, 33, has two years remaining on his Chelsea contract and the last campaign wasn't his best compared to his own high standards. A prolonged spell on the sidelines due to injury was an unfamiliar blip in a career which has consistency written all over it.

It has seen questions being raised about age catching up with the Englishman, who recently completed a decade since his £11 million move to Chelsea from West Ham. Lampard, however, maintained that he can continue at the highest level, as long as he manages himself body properly, citing Manchester United's Ryan Giggs as an outstanding example.

''I think the age thing has changed,'' Lampard said in The Sun. ''People are pretty quick to write you off once you get into your 30s but they have proved to be a lot of players' best years.

''Ryan Giggs was outstanding against us in the Champions League quarter-final last season - and in a lot of other games - at 37 years old. If you look after yourself, keep motivated, which is very important, know your body, do the right things, and manage yourself well, then you can certainly have your best years in your 30s.''

Lampard believes that being involved at the top of the English Premier League helps him to continue energised.

''There's a lovely mix at this level,'' he said. ''I love playing, I love the sport and the basics of going out to play football. But I also love the stuff that comes with it at the top.

''I'd still enjoy playing if it were at Sunday league level, but I like the cut-throat mentality at this level, where you have to keep on top of your game no matter whatbecause, if you drop, you're out of it. That's what drives me on, I like being at the top.''

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