Chelsea have been urged to avoid their longstanding transfer plans for West Ham United’s midfield maestro Declan Rice by Paul Merson.
The former Arsenal man Merson, now a leading pundit, has claimed while speaking on Sky Sports that the Blues would be better off not forking out a fee in the region of £120 million for the wantaway star Rice this coming summer window.
“Declan Rice? That’s a lot of money.
“I like Declan Rice, don’t get me wrong, I like him.
“But £120m for someone who isn’t giving you any goals is he? He’s not giving you 15… he’s not Frank Lampard. That’s a lot of money that is.”
Rice has long been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge with the England international a product of the famed Chelsea youth ranks before being released in 2014 following which he made the switch to city rivals West Ham.
The 22-year-old has a contract at the London Stadium until summer 2024 but has turned down offers of renewal despite the boss David Moyes keen for his star first-teamer to stay put for the seasons to come.
Chelsea have arch domestic foes Manchester United waiting in the wings as well should Rice seek a move away from West Ham in the near future with the Old Trafford camp on the hunt for a quality signing to bolster their midfield ranks.
