Chelsea tipped to bid for £80m PL star in January or the summer

West Ham expecting bids for Chelsea target Declan Rice in January or the summer

According to TalkSPORT (h/t Football.london), Alex Crook believes Chelsea will make a bid for Declan Rice either in January or the summer.

The Blues have been heavily linked with the West Ham United star for some time now. Despite a busy summer transfer window, Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia has been backed to sanction a move for Rice in the January window.

With the Blues going through a rough patch of form at the moment, bringing in a proven midfielder such as Rice would certainly aid our cause.

Crook has revealed that Frank Lampard thinks along the same lines and believes that Rice would improve his side.

“One player Frank Lampard believes would massively improve his Chelsea team is Declan Rice.”

He went on to add that the Hammers were surprised that the Blues did not make a formal approach for Rice last summer. They are, however, bracing themselves for when Chelsea do make an offer – whether it be this month or at the end of the season.

“West Ham were surprised that Chelsea didn’t make a formal bid in the summer and they’re bracing themselves for that to happen, either now or at the end of the season.”

An expensive investment!

A major issue standing in the way of any prospective deal is the player’s massive £80m valuation. With three years left on his current deal, West Ham hold the aces when it comes to negotiations.

Rice is a boyhood Chelsea supporter and a close friend of Blues star Mason Mount. He came through the Chelsea academy before being released at the age of 14. It is fair to say, it has worked well to his advantage.

More Chelsea News

• Chelsea to battle AC Milan and Nice for Mohamed Simakan
• Olivier Giroud reveals clause that could see him extend Chelsea stay
• Gianfranco Zola keen to see Frank Lampard deploy Timo Werner out wide for Chelsea

Meeting West Ham’s valuation will make Rice the most expensive transfer in Chelsea history. Given the mixed success that other big-money signings Kepa Arrizabalaga, Timo Werner, and Kai Havertz have had, it remains to be seen if the Blues are willing to break the bank once again.