Jose Mourinho Once Offered Adriano To Chelsea In A Swap Deal For Frank Lampard

Jose Mourinho once offered Adriano to Chelsea as part of a swap deal for Frank Lampard after falling out with the former Brazil international at Inter Milan.

Adriano was one of the most feared strikers in world football in the mid-2000s, with his best years coming during his second spell at Inter.

His time at Inter would come to an end after Mourinho took charge of the Italian side in 2008.

Mourinho attempted to raid his former club Chelsea for midfielder Lampard, offering up Adriano as part of a potential swap deal.

Lampard had turned down the offer of a new four-year contract at Stamford Bridge and was initially keen to reunite with Mourinho at the San Siro.

"'The player is flying back from Rio de Janeiro to Milan next week, as the pre-season starts on Wednesday.

“I will neither confirm nor deny that he will be exchanged for Lampard."

Chelsea would reject a number of bids from Inter before Lampard finally committed his future to the Blues by signing a new five-year deal at the club.

He would go on to become a legend at Stamford Bridge, while Adriano would leave Inter in 2009 in acrimonious circumstances.

After travelling to Brazil for international duty, Adriano failed to return to Inter, who subsequently cancelled his contract.

Adriano would go on to have spells at Flamengo, Roma, Corinthians, Atletico Paranaense and Miami United before eventually retiring in 2016.

"I said, 'Oh Lord. Get me out of here'. I just couldn’t cope.

"I got called for the national team, and before I left Mourinho said, 'You’re not coming back, are you?'

"I said, 'You already know it!' One-way ticket, brother."