Chelsea WILL make a move for Declan Rice, and are now preparing their bid for the West Ham midfielder, Fabrizio Romano has claimed.
The England international Rice made his 100th league appearance for the Hammers last Saturday in their season opener against Newcastle, which they lost 2-0, but he is regarded as one of the finest holding midfielders in the game.
It is no secret that Chelsea are interested in trying to get a deal done by the end of the transfer window, but have been put off by that massive £80 million asking price that West Ham have placed on the head of Rice.
Now, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Blues will make their move for Rice ‘immediately’ after signing goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes, despite the reports that the Hammers will not allow their star man to leave the club.
He Tweeted: “Chelsea are preparing a bid for Declan Rice!
“Immediately after Mendy, Chelsea will move for Rice. Player wants to join Chelsea. West Ham do not want to sell. With the right bid you can get the player.”
Lets see how this plays out, but Rice needs to make that step up and play for a massive club that Chelsea that will help him challenge for trophies and play in the Champions League.
If Chelsea do offer the right amount of money, then West Ham will be unable to turn down an offer surely?
And the fact that Rice could become one of the best holding midfielders in the game, it would be a shock to not see a Chelsea offer actually arrive before the deadline in early October. As we said, Rice needs to make that step up, and the way Chelsea play, he would fit into the system at the Bridge under Frank Lampard.