Chelsea draw up Declan Rice transfer plan with Blues ready to ’test the water’

Declan Rice: Manchester United and Chelsea target profiled

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Chelsea are gearing up to submit an official bid for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice ahead of next season, according to reports. The 22-year-old, who was released by the Blues as a youngster, has been tipped to return to Stamford Bridge this summer after making a name for himself as one of the Premier League’s finest holding players with the Hammers.

Rice made 35 appearances for the east London outfit in all competitions last season before starting every match for England at Euro 2020.

He has recently emerged as a crucial member of Gareth Southgate’s side and played a key role in leading the Three Lions to a first major tournament final since 1966.

However, the midfielder’s future at West Ham appears to be in the balance after his refusal to sign a new contract at the London Stadium earlier this year.

Manchester United have been credited with an interest in bringing Rice to Old Trafford, while Chelsea are also understood to be keen admirers of their former academy prospect.

Thomas Tuchel is reportedly looking to strengthen his ranks in advance of a renewed Premier League title challenge despite leading his side to European glory two months ago.

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It seems as though Chelsea’s pursuit of Rice could soon be accelerated as a matter of priority, with club chiefs planning to ‘test the water’ with an opening bid in the coming weeks, according to Eurosport.

The report claims that an initial offer is expected to be made this summer, with the Blues hoping to strike a deal for no more than around £70million.

However, West Ham are said to value their man at closer to £100m, which suggests that a move could be difficult to engineer.

It is said that Rice may be concerned by the Hammers’ lack of summer investment, with the club yet to sign any new players since the end of last season.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will eventually be successful in their pursuit of the man from Kingston upon Thames as his current employers seek to avoid losing their prized asset to their cross-city rivals.

Former West Ham forward Brian Deane recently admitted that he is doubtful over the likelihood of Rice joining the newly-crowned European champions this summer, highlighting the quality of their existing options in the middle of the park.

“For me, it depends where they’re going to play him because Kante is the best player in that position in the world,” Deane told Football Fan Cast.

“I couldn’t believe when Frank Lampard was the manager that he was playing Kante wide of a three midfield. He’s got more energy than I’ve seen any time from anybody, so that was surprising to me.

“If they bring him [Rice] in, are they bringing him in to compete with him [Kante]? Are they going to play two holding midfielders? I don’t know.”

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Meanwhile, ex-United defender Paul Parker has declared that Rice could be the perfect man to supplement Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield ranks at Old Trafford ahead of the new campaign.

“There’s a way of just being that defensive player, but then as well there’s another way of being a midfield player who can break into the attacking third,” Parker exclusively told Express Sport.

“United haven’t got that player, so if they’re going to go into the marketplace you have to look at Declan Rice.

“It’s all about someone young, and if you were to go and spend the Sancho money on him, you would have got someone who is proven in the Premier League. Everyone talks about him and knows about him.”

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