According to 90min, the new management at Stamford Bridge had made fresh contact with West Ham United regarding Declan Rice....CONTINUE READING
The Hammers have been certain that they want to retain Rice this summer and have long insisted that they won’t sell him unless their $150 million asking price is satisfied.
Undoubtedly, Rice will be the center of a club that West Ham boss David Moyes hopes can consistently contend for a top-four finish and a Champions League berth. After a miraculous run to the Europa League semifinals the previous season, the club will now play in the Europa Conference League this year.
The Hammers are still confident that Rice would agree to a new deal before the beginning of the new campaign, but any new agreement the 23-year-old signs could have a buyout clause; 90min reported in May that West Ham was willing to compromise in order to reach an agreement.
Sources have told 90min that Blues, who have long had a desire to sign Rice, have re-contacted West Ham in an effort to bring him to West London.
At the request of the new management and temporary sporting director Todd Boehly, Chelsea contacted West Ham’s largest shareholder David Sullivan about the prospect of making a trade for Rice. The England international, though, was not available this summer, and Chelsea was granted limited attention.
According to 90min, the Blues may make a second attempt to weaken West Ham’s determination by presenting Armando Broja and Ross Barkley in a swap, with the former being a well-known transfer target of Moyes.
Notwithstanding West Ham’s eagerness to declare Rice their top player, Rice has already declined proposals to renew his contract at London Stadium. His existing contract has 2 years left on it with the chance of an extra year. Rice has previously declared that winning trophies is his only goal.
Although Manchester City and Manchester United are both well-known admirers, neither club is currently expected to make a move because they have other objectives for this summer’s transfer window.
