2pm: £100m-rated Chelsea top target set to ‘reject’ third contract offer from club to make Chelsea move
According to latest reports, the West Ham United and England midfielder continues to be linked with a return to Chelsea and the latest news could be a boost to the Blues
Declan Rice continues to be linked with a sensational return to Chelsea this summer after another brilliant campaign for club and country.
The 22-year-old starred in West Ham United’s impressive season, where they secured Europa League football for the upcoming campaign.
Rice then started all of England’s seven Euro 2020 matches, helping his country reach the final of the international tournament, where they were beaten in a penalty shootout by Italy.
The Blues are reportedly interested in making a big-money move for their former academy player, who was released by the west London club when he was just a teenager.
Reports have emerged recently suggesting Rice has turned down two contract offers from West Ham, who are understandably determined to keep hold of the England international.
Now, Chelsea may have received a big boost in their pursuit to sign the Hammers star. The Telegraph’s Matt Law claims Rice would currently turn down a third contract offer from West Ham and suggests a £60million offer from the Blues would tempt the Irons into selling.
“Declan Rice would reject a third contract offer from West Ham. He wants to be made aware of any bids made for him,” he said on the London is Blue podcast.
“West Ham would have to have a serious think about any bid that came in over £60m because of the situation.”
So it appears Rice could be available for around £60m this summer, but that goes against what West Ham boss David Moyes said back in March. Moyes claimed that Rice was worth more than £100m.
He said: “I don’t agree with the owners that Declan Rice is a £100m footballer. Far, far more than £100m. Far, far more.
“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 would not 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 is for sure.”