Chelsea have ‘two alternatives’ lined up if they fail to land Declan Rice

Thomas Tuchel reportedly has two alternatives lined up if Chelsea fail to sign West Ham star Declan Rice this summer.

The Blues boss is believed to be keen to sign a new midfielder this summer with Rice a target.

The Hammers ace spent eight years as a schoolboy with Chelsea and is reportedly open to a switch back to Stamford Bridge.

Though Manchester United are also keen and West Ham are likely to demand around £100m for Rice's signature.

And the Metro report Tuchel has two transfer options lined up if a deal for Rice can't be reached this summer.

Monaco ace Aurelien Tchouameni and Benfica's Julian Weigl are reportedly the duo as Tuchel ensures he has options.

Tchouameni has been named the Young Player of the Year in Ligue 1 with reports suggesting it will take around £34m to secure his signature.

“He can play anywhere in midfield and he will not have a problem,” former Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas recently told BT Sport of Tchouameni.

“He can play as a No 6 alone, as a defensive midfielder, as a No 8, in a double 6. What he’s doing now, even in a year’s time, he could become a good No 10 if he wanted.

"He’s got the power to get into the box. He needs to improve his final pass a little bit, but he’s so young, and he’s determined to learn.

“From what I can see, and the will that he has, he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Tuchel worked with Weigl at Borussia Dortmund with the midfielder a regular in the Benfica team this season.

It had been reported in November that Weigl was keen to leave Benfica, though he said at the time:" I know that I carry a lot of baggage and have my critics.

"I'm not the type of player to set the pitch on fire with loads of tricks. As a defensive player, my qualities lie elsewhere."

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