According to The Sun, Chelsea are set to formalise their interest in Declan Rice as Frank Lampard looks to pull off a double swoop for the West Ham star and Kai Havertz that could cost around £122m.
However, Chelsea have already spent around £131m on striker Timo Werner, winger Hakim Ziyech and left-back Ben Chilwell while defenders Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr have also both arrived on free transfers.
Havertz has also been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks and The Sun says the German international is close to moving to Chelsea in a deal that will cost an initial £72.2m plus bonuses.
The 21-year-old should prove to be an excellent signing as he’s developed into one of the most highly-rated young attacking midfielders in Europe having contributed 18 goals and 9 assists for Bayer Leverkusen last season.
However, it appears Lampard still isn’t finished in the market as the newspaper claims Chelsea are also ready to step-up their interest in Declan Rice by testing West Ham’s resolve with a formal opening offer.
The Sun says West Ham are demanding £80m for the 21-year-old’s signature but Chelsea are confident they can drive the price down. The Blues ended up paying £50m for Chilwell after Leicester initially quoted £70m and the report says they hope to land Rice for a similar fee.
If Chelsea could land the England international for around £50m and seal their proposed £72m deal for Havertz then it would be a sensational £122m double swoop that would take Lampard’s summer spending to around £250m.
That’s obviously a huge amount of money, particularly in today’s suppressed market, so Lampard would be under pressure to have Chelsea competing for major honours next season after such an expensive outlay.