Declan Rice will be 'held back' at West Ham says pundit
Chelsea are reportedly planning one final swoop for Declan Rice as they look to test West Ham's resolve in the final week of the transfer window. The Blues have been the Premier League's big spenders this summer having signed Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz, Malang Sarr and Edouard Mendy but they may not be done there yet.
Frank Lampard has always been keen on bringing Rice back to Stamford Bridge and sees the England international as a potential option as centre-back as well as in midfield.
Rice is adored by the West Ham faithful and the Hammers do not want to sell him at any cost.
However, Chelsea look set to test the water with an offer before the October 5 transfer deadline.
According to The Mirror, the Blues are ready to make their move and it could come at the expense of Jorginho.
Chelsea may offload Jorginho to Arsenal to fund a late swoop for Declan Rice (Image: GETTY)
The Italian has been linked with a surprise move across London to Arsenal this week and it appears the link has substance.
Considering they're rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea have done their fair share of business in recent years with Petr Cech, Olivier Giroud, David Luiz and Willian all trading allegiances.
Jorginho could be set to follow former team-mate Willian to the Emirates Stadium given that Mikel Arteta did not rule out a move when quizzed on the supposed interest: "We are still open to improve our team.
"We are looking for different options depending on what happens with some of our players here so we are getting prepared just in case we need to do something."
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Meanwhile, Lampard refused to talk about Rice when asked if a bid was imminent: “Again they are rumours, I can’t talk about these things, but when players are ours it’s not my position to speculate on what may be, and it’s the same on the other side from players from other clubs. And I’ll continue that way.”
The Chelsea boss was specifically asked whether he would be willing to sell Jorginho or Antonio Rudiger, who was left out of the squad for a second successive match in midweek for the Carabao Cup win over Barnsley.
“Every player would always be a case by case situation. One where there is a happy solution for myself, the player and the club," Lampard said.
“So yes we have a big squad, we know that but at the moment the players remain ours and we’ll see as time goes on.
Chelsea are preparing a transfer bid for Declan Rice (Image: GETTY)
“It’s not my position to speculate on what may be because it’s not my job. And it’s the same for players at other clubs. We have a game against West Brom and my biggest thing is getting the squad ready for that game.”
Jorginho missed a penalty for Chelsea in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last Sunday and has lost his way in west London in the past year.
The former Napoli man looked set to team up with ex-Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri at Juventus earlier this summer, before the Italian boss was dismissed in Turin.
Chelsea are also willing to offload Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek and both players are of interest to Aston Villa.