Journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed to GiveMeSport that Declan Rice has not yet ruled out a move to Chelsea.
The midfielder is likely to be on the move at the end of the season after a successful spell with West Ham United.
European football for the London side has been a fantastic achievement over the past couple of years, but it looks as if the Englishman now needs to take a step up in order to further advance his career.
Rice has been strongly linked with a move to one of the top sides at the end of the season, although it has been reported that Arsenal feel confident in their position as favourites.
However, Taylor has stated that reports that suggest the England international has selected the Emirates as his next home are premature.
Rice not ruling out Chelsea
He said: “It’s clear Chelsea are only going to get better. The amount of money they’ve spent, they’re not going to be a team that sit around 10th for years. They’re on the up.
“You saw the signing of [Mykhailo] Mudryk and the debut of him, how exciting he looked. I think the only way is up now for Chelsea, so I still don’t think Rice [has chosen anyone yet]. I think those reports are premature.”
Chelsea and Arsenal are battling for more than just Rice right now.
The two Premier League sides both hold an interest in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, who has made it clear that he wants to leave this month.
The Blues made the first bid to sign the 21-year-old, but their initial effort has since been outdone by the league leaders.
However, the Gunners are still finding plenty of resistance from Brighton in their efforts to sign him, despite Chelsea seemingly cooling their interest.