Chelsea yet to approach West Ham United for Declan Rice but remain interested
Chelsea have not made an official approach or bid to West Ham for star midfielder Declan Rice, a source has told Football London.
The Blues are back in the transfer market now that Todd Boehly’s takeover from Roman Abramovich has been completed and the American is in charge of market dealings at Stamford Bridge.
Last week (24 June) 90min reported that the Hammers had turned down an approach from their cross-London rivals, who may return offering players such as Irons target Armando Broja, while the Metro echoed the sentiment on Monday morning (27 June).
But that appears not to have been the case and apparently has little success if it does now happen, as the stance at the London Stadium hasn’t changed – Rice isn’t for sale in this window.
Football London’s Monday evening report falls in line with the steadfast refusal to countenance an exit for the 23-year-old that has remained constant throughout.
But they differ on whether any club is still attempting to change their mind, with only “intermediaries” noted as making previous attempts, but nothing recent.
Shut up shop
Moyes wants Broja as his primary striker target this summer, with Michail Antonio having spent 18-months toiling as the only option up front.
But even if his £30million price tag were to be taken off the £150million that the Irons value their captain at it would only make a dent.
There seems little prospect of Chelsea spending close to £120million on one player, especially in the new era over there.
Adding the likes of Ross Barkley to the equation, as 90min reported was a possibility, will make next to no difference to anything either.
The club look to have done an impressive job in warding off interest for their England star, as even mega-rich Manchester City deemed it too difficult to deal with and have since secured a deal for his Leeds United counterpart Kalvin Phillips.
As the Hammers set about strengthening the squad around him in the hopes that he can be convinced to stay before his contract ticks down to just a year left, the pressure may now be off in terms of worrying about an offer turning his head.
He has long been thought to favour a return to the club where he was cut from the academy, but with the future still to settle at Stamford Bridge, even if that is the case he would be better placed leading the David Moyes revolution at West Ham.