Chelsea submit enquiry for long-term target who is keen on transfer claims journalist

Chelsea submit enquiry for Declan Rice, who is keen on transfer

Speaking on the Football Terrace Show (h/t football.london), Eurosport journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Chelsea have made an ‘informal enquiry’ with West Ham over the possibility of signing Declan Rice.

A former trainee with the Chelsea academy, Rice moved to West Ham’s youth setup about eight years ago and has since grown into a mainstay with the first-team and one of the best defensive midfielders in the country. A key performer in England’s Euro 2020 final run, the 22-year-old has been long-linked with a return to Chelsea.

Indeed, the Blues were keen on signing Rice back from West Ham United last summer when Frank Lampard was in charge of the club. And with Thomas Tuchel now at the helm of affairs at the Bridge, the interest in Rice remains very much strong, with the club now seemingly lodging an enquiry according to Jones. (h/t football.london)

“Let’s call it an informal enquiry. Chelsea are definitely going to go to West Ham and say what’s it going to take. They’re going to do it because they want to know.”

Jones also goes on to add that Chelsea are aware that Rice wants to make the transfer happen from West Ham this summer.

“Even if they don’t decide to pursue it after that point, they need to get the ball rolling, they need to know how possible it is and they know that the player wants to come.”

More Chelsea News:

• Transfer News: Chelsea agree to sell Marc Guehi as Crystal Palace offer is accepted
• Chelsea submit bid for Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde
• Transfer News: West Ham hoping to use Felipe Anderson money to tie down Chelsea target Declan Rice

Bringing Rice back to the Bridge would be a huge move for Chelsea. With N’Golo Kante in his thirties and Jorginho also touching his thirties, signing Rice would sort the Blues’ midfield for the future once Billy Gilmour returns from his loan spell. Whether West Ham are willing to play ball, though, remains the biggest question.