Chelsea are hoping to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United this summer, and the two clubs are currently locked in talks for the 22-year-old defensive midfielder.
According to reports, the England international is valued at £100 million by the hammers, but Chelsea are hoping to sign him for a fee of around £60 – 70 million.
Declan Rice was released by the Blues when he was a teenager, and the player has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge ever since.
The midfielder will feel that he has unfinished business at Chelsea, and he will be hoping to establish himself as a key player for the Blues if the move goes through this summer.
Chelsea could undoubtedly use a specialist defensive midfielder next season alongside the French international N’Golo Kante. Rice has developed into one of the best in the Premier League in his position.
The 22-year-old was outstanding for his country in the European Championships as well.
There is another possibility that has been reported. Chelsea could offer out of favour striker Tammy Abraham as a makeweight. Abraham has started only in three occasions since Tuchel took charge at Stamford Bridge.
If the Blues can agree on a fee with West Ham, the transfer will likely go through this summer. They are unlikely to have any problems agreeing on personal terms with the player.
Declan Rice deserves to play at a higher level, and he could be tempted to play Champions League football with Chelsea next season. He has already informed the Hammers of his desire to leave.
West Ham will be desperate to hold on to their star midfielder for another season at the very least, and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few weeks.
