Chelsea are preparing to make yet another foray into the transfer market this summer, with a move for West Ham's Declan Rice on the cards.
Despite having already spent over £130m this summer on Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell, in addition to obtaining the services of Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva on free transfers, Chelsea are finally set to launch a bid for Rice.
Chelsea ready to push on with Declan Rice bid despite signing Silva and Sarr. West Ham to make them work hard to get deal done, but Rice seen as perfect player for Blues https://t.co/wJLSvQmSLV
— Duncan Wright (@dwright75) August 29, 2020
The defensive midfielder – who is also comfortable playing at the heart of a back four – is a natural born leader who actually began his youth career with the Blues, spending eight years on their books before making the move across the capital.
However, West Ham are understandably desperate to keep the Englishman. Rice played every game in the Premier League last year, and was rewarded for his efforts by being given the Hammers' player of the season award – and the Sun report that his price tag is set somewhere in the region of £80m.
What that £80m (which Chelsea are currently unwilling to pay) would buy is an impressive durability, Rice one of just seven outfield players to play every minute of his team's Premier League campaign in 2019/20.
If the Blues do fold and pay Rice's release clause, and should they close a deal for Kai Havertz in the upcoming days, their summer spend could pass £250m.
All of that spending hasn't yet been offset by any particular sales – except that of Alvaro Morata, who left the club last season on a loan with an obligation to buy for around €60m, an option which was solidified this summer.
Source : 90min