Chelsea manager Frank Lampard insisted Bruce Buck was 'joking' when he suggested the Blues were close to bringing in a new January signing.
Buck addressed the media before Lampard's usual pre-match press conference on Friday, taking the opportunity to announce the Blues are formally adopting the IHRA definition of anti-semitism.
But before handing over to Lampard, the Chelsea chairman said: “Who are we signing? I do know, but I won't be telling."
“Cheers for that Bruce," responded Lampard, "this press-conference has become a lot harder now.”
"That was a joke," Lampard insisted. "There is nothing imminent."
Meanwhile, Lampard says Ross Barkley is going nowhere despite West Ham admitting interest in signing the Chelsea midfielder on loan.
Barkley has just shaken off a niggling foot injury and forced his way back into Chelsea's first-team picture, and impressed in the Blues' 3-0 Premier League win over Burnley.
Lampard criticised the 26-year-old earlier this season for lacking professionalism after a row with a taxi driver in Liverpool, but has now said Barkley remains central to his Stamford Bridge plans.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com