Chelsea will be in a fight to sign Declan Rice in the summer but won't be allowing the West Ham captain to move anywhere without fighting their own corner.
The Blues have held interest in Rice for several seasons but look increasingly likely to be amongst a group of parties that will snap him up next year as he enters the final 18 months of his contract. Rice's deal expires in 2024 and can negotiate a free deal away in just over 12 months time.
The Hammers, who have always remained firm in their stance that he isn't for sale, are slowly being backed into a corner with their skipper though as he refuses to sign and extension and the prospect of losing slowly becomes a reality.
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Given his lofty valuation, with David Moyes previously stating he would cost over £150m, West Ham can afford to lose their talisman for nothing and face the prospect of selling him to a serious rival. Chelsea have always seemed a logical destination after leaving the academy aged 14.
Rice is also best friends with Mason Mount, who the club are keen to sign to a long-term contract, and the pair may well hold the key to the other having a future in blue. Things aren't set to be that simple though, as The Telegraph's Matt Law reports that Chelsea aren't leading the race to sign the player.
Speaking to the London is Blue Podcast, he said, ""Rice. He will definitely, definitely leave West Ham at the end of this season, I am 100% confident on that. West Ham are preparing to sell Declan Rice, I think it'll be about £70m. Chelsea aren't actually in pole position to sign Rice, there are two other clubs that have made big plays to sign him.
"That's not because Chelsea aren't going to, it's just that a couple of clubs have tried to go early on Rice and I expect Chelsea to move on Rice and I'd be surprised if anyone outbid Chelsea. Albeit that there are two clubs ahead of them, I can't say who they are, but they're Premier League clubs."
For Chelsea to need a midfielder so much and with the profile of Rice appearing perfectly suited for Stamford Bridge, to miss out on him now would be a big blow. However, with the lure of Mount, Graham Potter's plan and Todd Boehly's ambition, it is too soon to write them out just yet.
With Rice showing England fans just what he can do at the World Cup, dominating proceedings against Iran and acting as a key defensive buffer against USA, the 23-year-old has made his point on the world stage. Brazil's Casemiro already highlighted what Chelsea are missing earlier in the season with a commanding display against the Blues at Stamford Bridge from midfield, his stunning goal against Switzerland was just a further point that Potter is missing a key cog, and Rice is seen as that man.
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