Chelsea are touted to be interested in signing the highly-rated youngster Declan Rice from their Premier League rivals West Ham United FC.
Rice, who was a product of the Blues youth academy, moved to the West Ham academy and soon made his debut for the club in 2015.
The 21-year old English international has won a host of plaudits over the past few seasons for his performances in the Premier League for the Hammers and Blues coach Frank Lampard is hoping to add the bright English prospect to the growing number of Chelsea FC summer signings (Hakim and Timo).
Lampard is reported to be keen on signing the young defensive midfielder who has earned the reputation of being one of the brightest English prospects in recent times. Even last summer, there was speculation about Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC going head to head while competing for Rice’s signature.
However, West Ham United FC were persistent in not letting their star prospect leave the club. But Rice could force a move away from the Hammers in the summer if top Premier League sides enquire about his availability. The player has earlier admitted to the desire of playing for a top-six team and to feature in the UEFA Champions League.
Rice, who is just 21 years of age, has already been capped seven times for the England national team and was a part of the English squad that secured the third position in the UEFA Nations League last year. The player had courted a lot of media controversy by switching his national allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England.
Prior to playing for the England national team, Rice had appeared in three matches for the Republic of Ireland side. Despite appearing as a traditional hard-tackling defensive midfielder under David Moyes for West Ham United FC, Rice is more than capable of operating as a centre-back and has done so while playing for the English national team.
The holding midfielder is contracted to West Ham United FC until 2024, which means that the Hammers won’t let Rice depart for a cheap price. Considering his value to the Hammer squad and his future potential, it is reported that West Ham United FC manager David Moyes will command a fee of £60 million for the player. Lampard is believed to not mind paying that price as long as Rice turns out to be a fantastic addition to the current Chelsea FC squad and replicates the form which he has displayed in the Hammers shirt.
