‘He was going to sign for Chelsea, it was a secret’ – Agent reveals £150m player was set to join Chelsea this summer
Chelsea is up for sale after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, Football agent Rob Segal has claimed West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice was set to make a return to Chelsea this summer prior to Chelsea’s off-field issues.
“I think Declan Rice is slightly snookered now,” Segal told Caught Offside. “He was going to go back to Chelsea. That was the worst kept secret in the industry but Chelsea isn’t in the same position now, obviously.”
West Ham value Rice at around £150million but Segal doesn’t see any club paying that amount.
“Manchester City don’t need him because they’re well served in that position, at least for another season,” continued the agent.
“Are Manchester United up for it? With Paul Pogba going for nothing will they end up paying West Ham, on a good day, £80m for Rice? – That would be amazing business by the Glazers, wouldn’t it?”
“I know Rice’s valuation is well over £150m. But there is a valuation and then there is what the market is willing to pay.
“However, when you include everything else, such as wages, a club is still looking at a good £100m.
“I don’t know who is going to pay that. Football, financially, isn’t back to what it was.”