Declan Rice 'could transfer to Chelsea' says pundit
West Ham have reportedly told Chelsea they will not let Declan Rice leave the club unless their £65million valuation is met. However, the Blues are hoping to include two players in the deal to lower the cash outlay.
Chelsea are spending big this summer with over £80m already shelled out on Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.
Another £90m may be spent on Bayer Leverkusen's versatile midfielder Kai Havertz, with personal terms apparently already agreed.
Frank Lampard next wants to bolster his defence with a new left-back and centre-half.
Leicester ace Ben Chilwell has been identified as the prime target to take over from Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri.
The Guardian claim Chelsea want to re-sign their former academy graduate Rice to plug a hole in the heart of their defence.
Chelsea are interested in signing West Ham ace Declan Rice (Image: GETTY)
The 21-year-old was released by the west Londonders' academy in 2013 and has gone on to establish himself as a regular Premier League holding midfielder.
However, in Rice's younger years he frequently operated as a centre-back and that is where Lampard sees his long-term future.
But West Ham will not let their rising star leave on the cheap and have quoted their London rivals £65m.
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