Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole
Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have been two of Chelsea's most valuable players for several season.  Reuters

Manchester United are keen to sign Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole when their contracts expire in the summer, according to the Daily Star. Both veterans are reportedly set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Lampard, 34, recently revealed that he has not been in talks about a new deal, despite his recent good form that has seen him score three goals in his last three starts. Lampard has scored 192 goals from midfield since joining the club from West Ham in 2001.

The England international has been strongly linked with a move to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

With Cole, 31, thought to be offered no more than a one-year contract due to Chelsea’s policy on players over the age of 30, the England left-back has also been heavily linked with a move away. Nouveau-riche Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be interested.

The Daily Star reports that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was interested in signing the duo in this month’s transfer window but Chelsea would not be prepared to let them leave to a Premier League rival.

Ferguson has shown with his continued faith in the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs that he values the role experienced players in his squad so there could be some truth to this unlikely potential deal. A move for Cole could make sense with Patrice Evra’s performances declining in recent times and Ferguson reportedly interested in a replacement.

At the other end of the age scale, there has been further news about young Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha. The Guardian reports that Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all made contact with Palace regarding the 20-year-old.

However, the story claims that Palace will seek to have Zaha loaned back to them for the remainder of the season even if he is sold in January. It is also revealed that the Championship outfit hope to get two or three players on loan from the buying club as part of any deal.

Zaha is rated as one of the best prospects in the country and made his debut for England back in November. According to the Guardian he is likely to be available for between £10 million and £15 million.

Finally, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s refusal to discuss his Real Madrid future on Wednesday, Spanish publication Marca has stated that they believe the Portuguese forward will eventually sign a new deal at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo has been mentioned in connection with a possible to return to Manchester United, while Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be monitoring the situation.

The story states that Madrid president Florentino Perez had a falling out with Ronaldo at the beginning of the season, but will do everything to keep the player as he is up for reelection this year. Madrid will reportedly offer the 27-year-old a €15 million (£12.2m) per season deal, after tax.

Marca, which is thought to have close links to Madrid, do state, however, that Ronaldo’s current unhappiness is such that he would reject a new deal if offered now. But by the club showing how much they value Ronaldo, it is thought that he will be persuaded to stay at the club he joined from United for a record £80 million deal in 2009.