Chelsea plot £70m plus player offer for rising English star

Chelsea still intent on signing Declan Rice

According to Football Insider (h/t Football.london), Chelsea are plotting a mammoth bid for West Ham United star Declan Rice towards the end of the ongoing transfer window.

The 21-year-old Rice started out at the academy of Chelsea, before switching to West Ham United in 2013. Having broken into the first-team in 2017, he has grown into one of their best players and one of the best young defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

Declan Rice and Mason Mount were together at Chelsea
Declan Rice and Mason Mount were together at Chelsea during the academy days

Able to play in the holding midfield role as well as a centre-back, Rice has been one of Chelsea boss Frank Lampard’s top targets this summer, as he eyes to bolster his defensive ranks.

And while the Blues are reportedly closing in on the free transfer signings of Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr, they will still make a move for Rice at the end of the transfer window, as per the report.

It is being claimed that Chelsea are willing to offer as much as £70m for Rice, along with a player as part of the transfer. However, there is no mention as to which player the Blues would be trading in exchange. (h/t Football.london)

But the deal will have to wait until the end of the window, as the club look to raise transfer funds from player sales this summer. (h/t Football.london)

Declan Rice will add much to the Chelsea backline
Declan Rice will add a lot to the Chelsea backline

More Chelsea News

It has been a brilliant window for us so far. The arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner could be followed by four more signings in the current week. (h/t Daily Star)

And if we are able to top it up with the signing of Rice, there will be few stopping us next season.