Chelsea FC have offered a swap deal involving Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi plus cash in order to tempt West Ham United in selling Declan Rice. The English midfielder is believed to be a major transfer target for the Blues coach Frank Lampard. However, Lampard’s efforts to sign the 21-year old Rice has been put off due to the pricing demands of the Hammers.
West Ham United boss David Moyes has asserted time and again that Rice will not be sold this summer. The Hammers manager has insisted that the 21-year old is a prospective club captain. Moyes further added that an enormous transfer fee would have to be tabled by Chelsea FC to sign Rice.
The Blues’ decision to include two players plus cash in an offer for Rice is meant to lessen the money demands of the Hammers. West Ham United’s initial demand for the English international was believed to be in the region of £70 million.
However, Lampard is highly reluctant to shell out such an exorbitant amount of money for Rice’s signature. This is due to the Chelsea FC boss keen on adding further reinforcements to his squad ahead of next season. A new left-back, center-back, and goalkeeper are the positions that Lampard wants to strengthen with new additions this summer.
Signing Rice would fulfill one of Lampard’s squad depth woes present at Chelsea FC currently. The Blues manager wants to play the 21-year old at center-back for his side next season. However, Rice plays in the central midfield role at the moment for David Moyes’s side.
According to reports, Lampard feels that Rice’s addition to the Chelsea FC squad would sort out the defensive issues plaguing the Blues recently. The West London based outfit’s defense has come under criticism lately due to shoddy displays in recent weeks.
Both Barkley and Batshuayi are believed to have no longer a future at Stamford Bridge come next season. The duo are on the fringes of the current first-team squad managed by Lampard. As a result, the Chelsea FC boss is hoping that offering the pair to the Hammers would sweeten the deal involving Rice.
