Chelsea open to using out-of-favour attacker in a deal for key transfer target

Transfer News: Chelsea could use Tammy Abraham in a deal for West Ham’s Declan Rice

According to a report by The Athletic (Subscription Required) [h/t Daily Star], Chelsea could offer Tammy Abraham in any potential deal for West Ham United star, Declan Rice.

Marina Granovskaia wants to bring Rice back to Stamford Bridge, where he played in the Blues’ Academy set-up. Abraham, on the other hand, has been made available despite scoring as many goals as Timo Werner last season. (h/t Daily Star)

It is clear that the 23-year-old was way below the pecking order for the German manager. Abraham featured just seven times under Tuchel and was not in the FA Cup final as well as the UEFA Champions League final matchday squad.

Chelsea could offer Tammy Abraham to West Ham United in swap transfer deal for Declan Rice.
Chelsea could offer Tammy Abraham to West Ham United in a deal for Declan Rice. (imago Images)

On the other hand, Dean Jones of Eurosport, speaking on The Football Terrace Podcast (h/t Daily Star) last week stated that Rice is keen on a return to Chelsea.

Rice for Abraham?

“Chelsea are definitely going to go to West Ham and say what’s it going to take? They’re going to do it because they want to know. Even if they don’t decide to pursue it after that point, they need to get the ball rolling, they need to know how possible it is and they know that the player wants to come.”

The report goes on to mention that West Ham are one of several suitors for Abraham and believe including him in a deal for Rice can shave off £30m to £40m from the total price tag.

Declan Rice was on Chelsea's books as a youngster.
Declan Rice was on Chelsea’s books as a youngster.

It is clear that the English striker is not favoured by Tuchel when it comes to displacing Timo Werner from the starting XI. And since that is the case as of now, Abraham’s inclusion in any deal for Rice could be a positive move by the Blues.

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Time will tell what happens with regards to Abraham and Rice’s future, but if the two exchanged places this season, not many Chelsea fans would be unsatisfied with the outcome.