Chelsea target Declan Rice ‘very open to West Ham transfer exit’ as Blues tick three boxes

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Chelsea transfer target Declan Rice is open to leaving West Ham in this summer’s transfer window, it has been claimed. The midfielder is currently on international duty with England at Euro 2020. And a blockbuster move to Stamford Bridge could be on the cards.

Chelsea wanted to sign Rice from West Ham 12 months ago, with Frank Lampard pushing for a deal to be struck behind the scenes.

But that ultimately didn’t happen, with the Blues choosing to strengthen other areas of their squad instead.

It’s now Thomas Tuchel, instead of Lampard, who rules the roost over at Stamford Bridge – and it’s previously been claimed he’d like to sign Rice, who he views as the perfect midfield partner for N’Golo Kante.

And Eurosport’s Dean Jones, speaking on The Football Terrace podcast, has now claimed Rice is open to leaving West Ham behind – and that his salary, signing on fee and West Ham’s asking price makes Chelsea a legitimate next destination.

“Yes I spoke to someone over the weekend who knows Declan pretty well and I said to them: ‘Where’s his head at?’

“I’ve always been of the belief that Declan Rice just won’t leave West Ham right now.

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“And he said ‘actually you’d be surprised, Rice is leaning towards being very open to leaving if the right offer comes along.

“So that’s interesting in itself. I think Declan Rice realises that this is a fantastic opportunity for him i the form he’s been in, breaking into the England starting XI.

“We often see players make moves when they’re at this point and they know that, in a year’s time, that opportunity could pass them by.

“People who work for Declan Rice have said in the past to the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea that he’s willing to leave London if the right offer is there, the right terms, the right project.

“He’s got his eyes open, with regards to the future.

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“I still think, personally, that Chelsea is the most likely place Declan Rice ends up.

“Because of the amount of salary he wants, because of the signing on fee he’d take and because of the price West Ham are going to want it’s a huge package to sign Declan Rice.”

Rice was in fantastic form for West Ham last term, making 32 Premier League appearances as the Hammers qualified for the Europa League under David Moyes.

And he’s been a regular for England at Euro 2020 so far, starting all three of the Three Lions’ matches against Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic respectively.

Rice isn’t the only player Chelsea are interested in, either, as Tuchel plots a pathway to Premier League title glory next time out.

Up top, both Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are admired.

Borussia Dortmund have made it clear Haaland isn’t for sale this summer, especially with the Bundesliga giants bracing themselves for the potential departure of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United.

But Chelsea could still make a bid regardless, particularly with uncertainty presently surrounding the futures of Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud.

Kane is also being eyed, though Tottenham would likely do all they can to stop the England international moving to their local rivals.

And former Chelsea star Wayne Bridge thinks the Blues are right to focus on signing a new forward, recently telling BettingExpert.com: “It’s a bit of a no-brainer: an out-and-out goal scorer.

“I keep saying Timo’s [Werner] going to become good and I predicted him to score a few goals at the Euros, but it has just not clicked for him so far.

“He’s shown glimpses and done well in games particularly with assists – but he’s not scoring goals, which is what he was signed to do.

“There’s been talk of [Erling] Haaland and [Harry] Kane.

“I’d love to see Kane at Chelsea but whether that’ll ever happen I’m not sure.

“There might be a few options for them but for me it’s figuring out who we can get and who’s going to be an out-and-out goal scorer.”

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