Chelsea are apparently set to rival a number of fellow Premier League giants for the signature of West Ham United’s Declan Rice this summer according to reports. As per The Telegraph, the Blues have revived their interest in the midfielder, with boss Thomas Tuchel rumoured to be interested.
Rice was a previous transfer target of former Blues manager Frank Lampard.
It was thought that Chelsea’s interest would have died down following the former midfielder’s Stamford Bridge exit and the arrival of Tuchel earlier this season.
However, the opposite appears to have taken place with the German having very quickly become a fan of the West Ham man and even going as far as recommending him to Marina Granovskaia.
Chelsea are not the only Premier League side to have been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old however.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have consistently been linked, with the Spaniard thought to see Rice as a viable replacement for veteran midfielder Fernandinho.
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“I look at the players who have joined some clubs from overseas and come in and nowhere near had the impact Declan Rice would have.
“I certainly wouldn’t put a price on it. You can decide which figure you want to put on it but I wouldn’t be sanctioning anything like that, that’s for sure.”
Rice actually came through the Chelsea academy throughout his development, eventually being released at the age of 14 to link up with the Hammers.
He signed a new West Ham contract in 2018, a deal that is set to run for another three years.
Should he move to Stamford Bridge, he would be reunited with childhood friend Mason Mount.
It is also reported by The Telegraph that should Chelsea once again fail in their pursuit Rice, they already have cheaper alternatives lined up.
AS Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Julian Weigl of Benfica are thought to be on their shortlist for midfield recruits.
The duo would be sure to cost far less than Rice.
