West Ham United: Declan Rice would prefer London stay in Chelsea transfer news
Declan Rice would “prefer a London move” if he were to leave West Ham United in the summer as Chelsea’s interest in the midfielder remains strong, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Hammers ace has been linked with a move away from the London Stadium all season long, following his comments at the World Cup stating his Champions League ambitions.
With the 23-year-old’s contract expiring in the summer of 2024, West Ham may be forced to part ways with Rice and cash in on their prized asset.
Writing in his exclusive column for Si & Dan Talk Chelsea (January 2), CBS writer Jacobs highlighted that another club in the capital would be the preferred move for Rice if he were to part ways with the Hammers.
He wrote: “Declan Rice remains a priority for Chelsea. Rice, as he said at the World Cup, is keen to move to a Champions League club.
“I am told, though, Rice would ideally prefer a London move, but it won’t be a dealbreaker-factor in his final decision.
“West Ham are resigned to losing Rice in the summer and for a price closer to £70m than the £100m+ quoted over the summer.”
Chelsea bound?
Most of the signs are pointing towards Rice joining fellow Londoners Chelsea in the summer.
Rice’s familiarity with the club, a midfield in need of transition, and a club with a progressive coach at the helm, the Blues tick all the boxes for the Hammers ace.
The only potential roadblock could be Graham Potters’ links with Enzo Fernandez and the ridiculous fee they may be willing to pay for his services. If this is the case, then they are unlikely to match West Ham United’s valuation of Rice and the substantial transfer fee they want for their main man.
David Moyes and David Sullivan may now have resigned themselves to the fact their captain will most likely be ending his six-year stint at the club.
Although they attempted to show Rice the club’s lofty ambitions by investing over £150 million in the squad in the summer, the club have slipped precariously close to the Premier League relegation zone.