Chelsea have been handed a major blow in the pursuit for Declan Rice as Thomas Tuchel plots a move for the West Ham midfielder. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge of late, though the Hammers seem unwilling to surrender the signature of their prized asset.
Rice topped the west London side's shortlist in the summer, but a move was delayed after a £100 million evaluation was tipped too 'steep', according to The Athletic. But now, following a series of imperious displays for the Hammers, David Moyes has since insisted it would take £150million for the midfielder to depart the London Stadium.
The England international, who was released from Cobham at the age of 14, sees his contract in east London expire in two years. However, West Ham do have the option to extend that by a further 12 months should they look to retain his services.
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With Thomas Tuchel said to be keeping tabs on Rice's increasingly uncertain future, West Ham have built an interest in Armando Broja. Moyes is reportedly eager to sign the Chelsea striker this summer after the 20-year-old impressed while out on loan at Southampton.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Albania international is the Hammers' 'first priority' this summer. The report adds that negotiations are ongoing over a fee said to be between £25million and £30million.
However, in March, Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb reported that Chelsea value Broja at around €70million (£60.3m), meaning the Blues could lose out on as much as £27.8million if they were to go ahead with the deal.
And, while a player-plus-cash swap deal would appear to be the most sensible option for both parties this summer, West Ham are unwilling to give up Rice's services. According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, the east Londoners are not open to using Rice in a move to help with his ‘huge fee’, and would want to sign Broja in a separate deal.
Speaking in January, Tuchel was asked about selling Broja ahead of his side’s Premier League trip to Brighton. And, the Chelsea boss was full of praise for the youngster, but claimed that the west Londoners aren’t thinking about his future at this stage.
"He’s our player and he’s doing good, but at the same time it’s only half a season, so he needs to continue to improve and to make his statement at Southampton," Tuchel said. "We have a reason why they are our players, they have quality and mentality and now they are out there on their own in different environments and clubs, and proving themselves.
"Armando’s getting better and better, he’s a very unique player with unique strengths in his game - he has speed, he’s robust and he’s a goalscorer. First of all now is not the moment to discuss about the summer - it’s the moment for him to stay calm and keep on improving."
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