Transfer News: Chelsea set to return for £80m star next summer

Chelsea to return for Declan Rice next summer

According to The Daily Star, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard remains keen to bring Declan Rice to Stamford Bridge.

The West Ham United star was heavily linked with a return to Chelsea this summer. He spent a number of years at the club’s academy before being let go at the age of 14.

Moving to West Ham proved to be an inspired decision. He has since then established himself as one of the best young English talents.

A versatile player who can play both at centre-half and as a holding midfielder, Rice is now a regular for club and country. In fact, David Moyes has also given him the captain’s armband at West Ham.

The Hammers are not keen to sell their prized possession and have slapped a massive £80m asking price.

Despite the interest in him, the club chose to address other issues first. The Blues have brought in a winger, a striker, a left-back, central defenders and a goalkeeper.

According to Football.london (h/t The Daily Star), Chelsea did not bid for Rice due to their inability to sell fringe players.

Defenders Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, and Emerson Palmieri all stayed at Stamford Bridge despite efforts to move them on.

Italian international Jorginho is another player who could make way. Lampard would have been fine with swapping Jorginho had he been able to sign Rice.

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• Chelsea youngster Fikayo Tomori rejected a loan offer from West Ham United
• Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger chose against joining Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea are unlikely to make an offer for the player in January. Next summer looks to be the earliest that we can potentially land the youngster.

West Ham will hope for another great season and a summer with the England national team raises Rice’s value even more.