Tuchel could now bring £150m star to Stamford Bridge, as Blues started negotiations with €30m-rated Bundesliga defender
According to journalist Jacque Talbot, Via Givemesport, Chelsea could splash the cash on West Ham United star Declan Rice when Todd Boehly’s Stamford Bridge takeover officially goes through,
Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel will be handed £200million to spend on new players this summer and it seems he could use a sizeable chunk of that figure on Rice.
Manchester City and Manchester United are also in the running to prise Rice away from West Ham during the upcoming transfer window, which officially opens next month.
But the Hammers are desperate to keep the 23-year-old on their books and, in a bid to deter suitors, have slapped a £150million price tag on him.
Rice made 50 appearances as West Ham finished seventh in the Premier League standings and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League this season.
Talbot believes Chelsea could succeed in welcoming Rice, who is currently on a £62,000-per-week contract at West Ham, back to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The journalist feels the budget at Tuchel’s disposal would make a big-money move for the midfielder possible.
However, Talbot told GIVEMESPORT: “If they can get the takeover done, I’ve seen the amounts that they’ve been suggested to have – over £200million to go absolutely nuts – plus the player sales they can make as well, like Werner on a high contract there, then absolutely.
“Rice was in their academy, supported them as a child and is from Kingston-upon-Thames, so I think this certainly could happen. Rice could go to Chelsea in this window.”
Blues started negotiations with €30m-rated Bundesliga defender
According to reports, Chelsea are planning several additions over the summer and have eight defenders on their shopping list alone. The German manager is also likely to want to add to his midfield and front-line, but the back-line is the crucial area of focus with both Rudiger and Christensen leaving the club.
There also remain doubts over both Azpilicueta and Alonso, both of whom are targets for Barcelona, with both seemingly keen to move to the Catalan club. Both Spaniards could still leave Chelsea, but the Blues would have to secure replacements for their decimated defence.
Eight names have been identified as potential replacements for the outgoing defenders and hope to be able to move for their targets as soon as the window opens on 10 June, as long as the sale of the club has gone through, as expected.
At the top of their shopping list is long-term target Jules Kounde, who nearly moved from Sevilla last year, with a deal falling through late in the day. The French centre-back is unlikely to escape Chelsea this time around and looks ready to be the first of their defensive replacements.
Less established but highly-rated is RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, who operates on the left of central defence and can fill in at left-back. Croatia international is more of a prospect than a proven talent but is also one of Chelsea’s top targets.