West Ham United: Declan Rice now ‘more likely’ to join Chelsea than Jude Bellingham
Chelsea are now more likely to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice than Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham, according to Dean Jones.
Jones, a former Eurosport journalist, claims he has been told that the groundwork is already being laid by Blues owner Todd Boehly who has big plans to improve Graham Potter’s squad in the coming transfer windows.
He also believes that the 23-year-old is considering whether this will be his final season at the London Stadium as transfer interest in him grows by the game.
“Of the two, I am told that Rice is the more likely option,” Jones said to Give Me Sport. “The groundwork has been laid, they know he is open to a return, he is considering leaving West Ham at the end of the season, and he is perfect for how the side set about the future.”
Last hurrah
Some fans may have thought last season would be Rice’s last as a West Ham player but he chose to stay one more year over the summer despite interest in him.
However, the poor form that has curtailed this season so far for the Irons may well be the final straw for the England international who has obvious and understandable desires to play in the Champions League.
The way things are going for David Moyes’ side right now, that simply will not happen for West Ham this season and he therefore will surely have to leave while the club can still get a whopping price for him.
In an ideal world, he would sign a new deal keeping him at the club for much longer but he doesn’t want that and West Ham fans probably wouldn’t want to keep such a talented individual held back by those around him.
He is already too good for this group of Hammers players so he just needs to be enjoyed by all for this final season before he leaves, whether it be to Chelsea or not.