Chelsea to return for Rice

Chelsea have been heavily linked with West Ham’s Declan Rice in recent months. The 21-year-old mostly plays as a defensive midfielder for the Hammers, but Chelsea boss Frank Lampard apparently wants him to boost his options in the heart of the back four.

Having failed to acquire Rice, the Blues signed left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester City and snapped up veteran Thiago Silva on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, adding thus to their defensive numbers. Overall, they spent more than £220 million, with the likes of striker Timo Werner and attacking midfielder also arriving to Stamford Bridge, which rendered them incapable of meeting West Ham’s demands for Rice as they failed to shift some of their fringe players. However, as reported by The Athletic, they will return with on offer of £60 million for his services when the January window opens.

Meanwhile, West Ham are keen on keeping Rice at the London Stadium and are preparing an offer of a new contract, more lucrative than his current deal which runs until 2024.