BREAKING: Chelsea now told to pay more than £107m Enzo Fernandez fee to sign player Pochettino really wants
Chelsea have now been told to pay a British record transfer fee for Declan Rice as West Ham prepare to sell their No.41 this summer.
That is according to The Sun.
So, what is the latest on Declan Rice and Chelsea? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, it is said that West Ham have told Chelsea – as well as Arsenal and Manchester United – to start the bidding at £110m.
That sum alone represents a British record transfer fee – just ahead of the £106.8m Chelsea spent on Enzo Fernandez back in January.
The update comes after West Ham Chairman David Sullivan told talkSPORT that Rice has been given permission to leave the London Stadium following the UEFA Europa Conference League win over Fiorentina.
Speaking about the England international, the 74-year-old said: “I think it has to be (Rice’s last game). We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.
“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements. It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
“It’s cost him £10m to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). He wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be very keen on having Rice at Stamford Bridge, with 90min claiming that the Argentine views him as a huge upgrade on Chelsea’s current midfield options.
Chelsea must fend off familiar face to sign Declan Rice
Arsenal and Manchester United are not the only competitors Chelsea must face in the battle to sign Rice.
The Sun add that Bayern Munich are also keen to sign the 24-year-old.
Florian Plettenburg of Sky Germany adds that Thomas Tuchel has shortlisted Rice as a target, with Bayern Munich already holding talks about a deal.
The German giants believe the West Ham captain is the perfect midfielder for them.
Therefore, Chelsea face a major battle to sign Rice up against Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester United, all of whom can offer Champions League football – something the Daily Mail believe is crucial for the West Ham talisman.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Rice looks set to leave West Ham soon.