Chelsea transfer news: Blues have lost ground in race to sign £70m midfielder

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Chelsea are reportedly not leading the race at this moment in time to sign West Ham’s Declan Rice in the summer.

West Ham and England midfielder Rice, 23, is a Premier League star that’s strongly linked with a potential move to Stamford Bridge in the future.

90min claimed back in October that Chelsea are “firm favourites” to sign Rice in 2023 ahead of several rival buyers.

However, fresh speculation suggests that the Blues have a lot of work to do to actually sign the Hammers star.

Chelsea lose ground in Declan Rice hunt

According to The Telegraph this week, Chelsea are not viewed as frontrunners right now to get Rice at the end of the season.

Journalist Ben Jacobs recently reported that West Ham’s central midfielder may be available to sign for around £70million in the summer.

His current deal expires at the London Stadium in 2024, so it makes sense for the Hammers to cash in if the player doesn’t plan to sign a new contract.

Rice is definitely a player the Chelsea fans discuss regularly as a potential future signing, so speculation they’re not in pole position to get him may upset plenty.

Rice’s performances over many years in England colours proves he’s easily good enough to play for any of the top club sides in the Premier League.

He’s an all-action midfielder that’s a colossus with his work out of possession, while his ability on the ball is fairly underrated as well.

With Chelsea desperately in need of a midfield revamp, it would be great for the Blues to step up interest in West Ham’s captain.

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