Chelsea: £150m Premier League star 'still on radar' at Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

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·25 November 2022

Chelsea: £150m Premier League star 'still on radar' at Stamford Bridge

Article image:Chelsea: £150m Premier League star 'still on radar' at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea still have West Ham United star Declan Rice on their radar, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The midfielder started for England in their opening World Cup win over Iran on Monday and could be at the centre of a tug of war next summer.


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Article image:Chelsea: £150m Premier League star 'still on radar' at Stamford Bridge

Who wants to sign Rice?

West Ham’s disappointing start to the current campaign means the speculation on the future of star midfielder Rice has already started, ahead of potential move away from the London Stadium.

Rice, who has been ever-present in the Premier League this season, has been constantly linked with a move away from the London Stadium and is a transfer target for Liverpool.

The Reds are in the market for a top-class midfielder and have targeted Jude Bellingham, but Rice is seen as an alternative option.

Rice’s current deal with West Ham runs out in the summer of 2024, although there is an option for the Hammers to extend the agreement by 12 months, and earlier this year he rejected a new eight-year deal that would have made him the club’s highest-paid player in their history.

What has Dean Jones said about Rice’s next move?

Rice will be a wanted man next summer and Jones understands that Chelsea remain keen on the England international, who valued at £150million by West Ham boss David Moyes earlier this year.

When asked about Liverpool’s interest, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “They’ve got to move before Chelsea do because Chelsea still have Declan Rice on their radar. There’s no doubt about that.”

Will Rice end-up at Chelsea?

It seems Rice is destined to end up back at the club where he began his football career as a youth team player, alongside close friend Mason Mount.

The latest report suggests that owner Todd Boehly will fork out £280million to sign both Rice and Bellingham next summer as the Blues look to rejuvenate their midfield area with the futures of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho uncertain.

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Article image:Chelsea: £150m Premier League star 'still on radar' at Stamford Bridge

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This comes after former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard this week admitted that he tried to recruit Rice when he was in charge of Stamford Bridge.

“We are fortunate to have him in England, West Ham are fortunate to have him. He’s a leader and it is clear that he’s destined for great things,” said Lampard at a Q&A session for the Willow Foundation.

“I have probably given it away with how I spoke about him but I think it’s common knowledge that I was a big fan of his. It didn’t happen for various reasons, but we brought in a lot of players in the summer. But I was a big fan of him.”

Since making his debut for the Hammers in 2016, Rice has played 215 games for the club, scoring 11 goals. The midfielder has also earned 35 England caps and will be key to Gareth Southgate’s side at the World Cup.

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