Chelsea will reportedly need to fork out €170 million to secure the services of West Ham United captain Declan Rice.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Declan Rice will not be a cheap acquisition for any club, with West Ham United set to demand €170 million to part ways with him. The multi-faceted English international is the subject of interest from Chelsea.
Declan Rice has forged a solid career since Chelsea released him from their academy in 2014. The 23-year-old subsequently graduated from West Ham United’s youth division in May 2017 before establishing himself as a regular for the Hammers in the last half a decade.
The English international has risen in stature considerably in the last five years, becoming a pivotal figure for his club and country. The multi-faceted midfielder has also become the West Ham captain following Mark Noble’s retirement. And Rice, who has turned out over 200 times for the Hammers, features on the radar of Chelsea.
The interest from Chelsea dates back a few years, with the Blues keenly following his progress. Frank Lampard, in particular, was eager to land Rice before his sacking. But the west Londoners have continued to keep tabs on the player and might soon launch the offensive for him.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are on the wrong side of 30, with the latter also encountering fitness issues in the last few years. In addition, both midfielders are in the final year of their respective contracts with Chelsea. Such a situation has captured the attention of several European bigwigs, including Barcelona.
While both players are showing an inclination to remain at Chelsea, the Blues need to lay down a succession plan for the duo. And Rice fits the bill perfectly for the west London club with his versatility. But the West Ham captain will not come cheap, with the Hammers demanding €170 million for the English international.
The price tag might seem steep. But Rice might repay the sum, considering he has at least a decade of top-level football in him. In addition, his leadership qualities and ball-carrying abilities make him an appealing option. So it will not be surprising to see Chelsea paying €170 million to land the 23-year-old next year.
