West Ham United set to make moves to keep Chelsea target Declan Rice from leaving
Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast (h/t The Express), Ian McGarry has revealed that Chelsea target Declan Rice is set to be offered a new deal at West Ham United.
The 21-year-old is a key player for the Hammers and has been on the Blues radar for some time now. He was also linked with a move in the summer, but it amounted to nothing.
However, rumours regarding an impending return to the Bridge have refused to die down. This has prompted West Ham to offer him a lucrative new contract to stay put.
Rice’s current contract at West Ham runs until 2024. There does exist an option to extend his stay for another year.
However, McGarry does not believe he will be offered terms beyond its current duration. Instead, the defender will be offered better terms on his current deal.
“They’ll offer him a pay-rise on better terms and with better bonuses in order to keep Chelsea at bay.”
The Hammers hope that the lucrative offer will be enough to keep the player at the club.
Despite signing Thiago Silva, Frank Lampard is keen to bring in a younger, commanding centre-back.
“Frank Lampard is desperate to have a commanding centre-back, even though Chelsea signed Thiago Silva on a free contract from Paris Saint-Germain. He still wants to have a younger, very very commanding player, to organise his defence.”
Rice certainly fits the profile of the player Lampard is seeking. Given West Ham’s stance, it will not be easy for us snare the defender.
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The defender, however, has a better opportunity to win trophies at Chelsea. Whether that is enough to entice him or not remains to be seen.
Rice was originally at the Chelsea academy alongside Mason Mount. He was eventually released by the club in 2014.
