Chelsea are believed to be preparing a January attempt to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and are hoping to to bring the England international to Stamford Bridge for £60m.
According to The Athletic, Frank Lampard’s spending, amounting to more than £200m already as Chelsea manager, could continue midseason.
The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from the London Stadium over the summer, with Stamford Bridge being strongly touted as a possible destination.
An England international with 11 caps after choosing to represent his country of birth over the Republic of Ireland, for whom he was also eligible, Rice has matured no end in the last two seasons.
The epitome of that maturity can be seen at club level, where Rice has skippered West Ham in the absence of club captain Mark Noble from the starting XI.
Rice, a defensive midfielder who has dropped into the centre of defence, has made more than 100 Premier League appearances for West Ham, after joining the club following a spell with Chelsea at youth level.
READ CHELSEA VERDICT
Valued at £49.5m by Transfermarkt, the reported fee of £60m doesn’t seem too far off the mark in terms of value.
Whether West Ham and David Moyes would accept any approach, especially halfway through the season, remains to be seen, though. Rice has played every minute in the top flight for the east London club this season.
It is likely Rice would leapfrog the likes of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho in the holding midfielder position at the Bridge if he makes the move.
