Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has ruled out signing Frank Lampard for Juventus.

Lampard has been linked with both the Turin giants and Barcelona this summer but the England midfielder insists he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Now Juve have ruled themselves out of the running, with new head coach Ranieri insisting the Italians are looking for a defender to boost their ranks.

Ranieri, who signed Lampard from West Ham for £11million in 2001, declared: "We are full in midfield and won't be signing anyone else there.

"Frank is a fantastic player — I know that better than anyone — but the only player we need before the start of the season is a central defender."

But while Lampard's future was beginning to become a little clearer, Real Madrid gave Chelsea further food for thought by targeting Lyon winger Florent Malouda.

The Spanish champions are already in the hunt for Chelsea's Holland winger Arjen Robben who has, so far, failed to agree a new long-term contract with the club.

Negotiations between the two parties are understood to be ongoing but, as yet, no agreement has been reached.

Madrid have been long-time admirers of Robben and president Ramon Calderon named the Dutchman as one of the players he wanted to bring to the club during his election campaign last year.

Chelsea have already had a £12million bid for Malouda rejected by French champions Lyon and Real's interest will pile more pressure on both Robben and the Barclays Premier League club.

Madrid have made it clear they will only sign one winger and if they land Malouda then Robben will miss out.

Calderon told Real's official website, www realmadrid.com: "We like Robben and Malouda. But they play in the same position and we will only sign one of them."

Malouda has already set his heart on a move to Stamford Bridge, where he would link up with former team-mate Didier Drogba but Chelsea are reluctant to meet the £17million asking price for the winger.