West Ham star Declan Rice has been told that Chelsea will not be able to spend £150million on his services this summer due to current sanctions and has been recommended a Real Madrid move over any Premier League transfer as a consequence.
Rice, 23, has been a pivotal figure in David Moyes' side who continue to impress this season in English football's top flight but even the Europa League this term with Lyon on the horizon in the quarter-finals. Whilst all focus from his perspective is on trying to achieve a successful season with West Ham - which could end up resulting in a famous European trophy if things go their way - his contract situation has a number of clubs eyeing up the possibilities of a transfer swoop.
However, the Hammers' new valuation of £150million, as per the Daily Mail, has shown interested suitors that they will have to break the British transfer record set by Man City's summer signing of Jack Grealish last term. Something that will put many off, and football.london understands that West Ham do not want to sell their star player at any price despite him having just two years remaining on his current contract and an admission that he wants to win trophies.
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His contract situation is something that gives hope to the likes of Man City, Chelsea, Man United and Real Madrid, but former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes the latter two of the quartet have a better chance of landing the Three Lions international due to certain reasons. He explained on talkSPORT: "I look at Manchester City and they've got Rodri, haven't they.
"I know Fernandinho might be leaving but Rodri plays a lot of their games and he suits the way Man City play, so maybe that's not an option. I look at Chelsea, they haven't got the chance to buy any players. Liverpool have got Fabinho and Henderson. Manchester United is the only club in the Premier League that he'll want to go to.
Agbonlahor then went on to recommend a certain move abroad instead of a big money transfer to Old Trafford: "But will he really want to go to Manchester United? He wants to win trophies and play Champions League football. They might not have that next season and they don't look like they are going to win the Premier League anytime soon.
"Maybe Declan Rice will be looking at somewhere else in Europe. If I'm him [Rice], then I'm not ruling out somewhere else in Europe- I'm not ruling out Real Madrid. You look at Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, they are still doing it but are getting on a bit- why not? If Real Madrid have the money to go for him, he'd rather choose Real Madrid over Man United at the moment, 100%."
If Rice were to move in a shock transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, it could open the door for Chelsea to swoop in on long term target Aurelien Tchouameni if sanction restrictions are lifted.
