Reliable source confirms Chelsea first target in January.
Chelsea could reportedly make a fresh attempt to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.
The England international was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, but a deal never materialised before the deadline.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are expected to revive their pursuit in January, but they could find it hard to convince the Hammers to sell him.
The east London side were demanding around £80m for the midfielder earlier this summer and it is reported that the club won’t consider his sale midway through the campaign for any price.
Rice has been handed the captain’s armband in three of the Hammers’ four Premier League matches and the board are currently planning talks over a new deal.
The 21-year-old’s current contract does not expire until the summer of 2024, but the club are planning to hand him a new deal which would double his current wages of £60,000-a-week.