Reports suggest that Chelsea are planning to make a move for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice next summer.
According to The Telegraph, the Blues have still got the 23-year-old on their radar as they look to bring in at least one top-quality young central midfielder in the upcoming window.
The England international has been on the club’s agenda for a number of seasons now, with all signs pointing towards a move to Stamford Bridge at some point in his career.
The transfer is likely to be an expensive one, with the price tag being quoted in the past as high as £150m.
After leaving the club as a boy, Rice has continued to improve his game in the Premier League and Europa League with West Ham, leading them to the semi-finals and another European finish last season.
His performances have not gone unnoticed on the international stage either, with him becoming an important member of England’s squad.
Chelsea planning Rice move
His role for the national team has previously drawn him praise from current Blue Mateo Kovacic, who described him as ‘excellent’ before facing him at European Championships last year.
With Todd Boehly still looking to make a splash in future transfer windows, The Telegraph have reported that he could look to bring Rice to West London next summer.
The report goes on to say that Chelsea were warned off making a move for the Englishman this summer, however will seemingly not be deterred in future cases.
With Rice enjoying a strong off-field relationship with a number of current Blues, none more so than Mason Mount, the signing would likely not require long to get familiar with his surroundings.
With the current uncertainty regarding Chelsea midfielders N’golo Kante and Jorginho’s futures at the club, a top quality replacement is absolutely necessary, and there are only very few options that could replace those two if they left.
One of those is Jude Bellingham, who the club have been linked to in recent days, but one of the others is certainly Rice.
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