Duncan Castles has been speaking on the latest edition of The Transfer Window podcast about news regarding a few Premier League clubs.
One team he briefly touched on was West Ham United and Chelsea’s pursuit of Declan Rice.
Rice has started the season well for the Hammers and averages a 6.91 rating for his league performances, but Frank Lampard identified him as the man he wanted in his defence, and it looks like he is now coming up with a plan to try and raise the money to buy Rice.
He said: “I understand that he would be prepared to allow someone like [Callum] Hudson-Odoi to go to fund a transfer for Declan Rice if they can get West Ham United to accept a fee in the January window.”
Do you think Chelsea will sign Rice in January?
No, we will keep him
Yes, he is gone
TIF Thoughts on Rice’s future…
The Blues were heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old in the summer, but nothing happened, and he has remained at the London Stadium for now.
He is valued at £49.5m by Transfermarkt, and his contract with the Hammers does not expire until June 2024, so West Ham are protected on that front, and if Chelsea were to buy him, then it looks like it will take a massive fee to convince the Hammers to let him go.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, so that could take up a bit of Rice’s fee, but they apparently are still asking for £80m.
So, you would think Chelsea might have to sell a few more players to help them raise the funds for the England international because it looks like his asking price is still £80m.
We don’t know what will happen with Rice, but we feel that this story could be one to keep an eye on in January.