Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed on Simon Phillips’ Substack that Declan Rice would still be interested in a move to Chelsea if they miss out on Champions League football next season.
The midfielder has been a long-term target of the Blues after they let him go as a youth product.
Alongside fellow reported target Jude Bellingham, the Englishman was an essential cog in Gareth Southgate’s side at the World Cup.
However, he is surely in need of a big move to help him take the next step in his career.
It has previously been claimed that the Blues would need to launch a club-record bid to make the signing of Rice.
However, Jacobs has claimed the deal would probably only cost the club around £70m.
Rice open to Chelsea move
He also claimed that the midfielder is buying in to the bigger picture at Stamford Bridge, meaning he would still be open to a move if they miss out on Champions League football for next season.
He said: “Declan Rice remains a priority for Chelsea. Rice, as he said at the World Cup, is keen to move to a Champions League club. UCL football is by no means guaranteed for Chelsea next season but Rice is looking at the bigger picture.
“I am told Rice would ideally prefer a London move, but it won’t be a dealbreaker-factor in his final decision. West Ham are resigned to losing Rice in the summer and for a price closer to £70m than the £100m+ quoted over the summer.”
The current status of the side means they are unlikely to find themselves finishing in the top four at the end of this campaign.
However, they are reportedly very close to securing a deal to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica this month.
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