EUROPEAN champions Chelsea are plotting a bid to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, according to reports.
The Blues will reportedly offer out-of-favour striker Tammy Abraham as part of the deal – with Rice said to be keen on a return to Stamford Bridge.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea transfer guru Marina Granovskaia wants to sign Rice and will offer Abraham in return to secure a deal.
The 22-year-old midfielder left Chelsea’s academy in 2014 to join West Ham, where he has since become a Premier League and England regular.
The Hammers reportedly want a whopping £100MILLION for Rice, who has three years left on his existing contract at the London Stadium.
Abraham is not thought to be part of Blues manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans after being dropped last season, leaving Prem clubs on red alert.
The Hammers are believed to be interested on signing the 23-year-old, who’s scored an impressive 91 goals in 215 professional appearances.
Chelsea have reportedly placed a £40m price tag on Abraham to make Rice a more affordable option.
RICE ‘WANTS’ CHELSEA MOVE
And according to Eurosport’s Dean Jones, Rice wants to return to his boyhood club this summer.
Speaking on The Football Terrace podcast, Jones said: “Let’s call it an informal enquiry [from Chelsea for Rice].
“Chelsea are definitely going to go to West Ham and say what’s it going to take? They’re going to do it because they want to know.
“Even if they don’t decide to pursue it after that point, they need to get the ball rolling, they need to know how possible it is and they know that the player wants to come.”
COMPETITION: SPOT THE BALL TO WIN A CAR AND CASH
Chelsea are believed to be interested in signing a few top players this window, including Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, 20.
Reports suggest they are also keen on Eduardo Camavinga, 18, with the Rennes president admitting the midfielder could leave soon.
One player who won’t be leaving Chelsea is Callum Hudson-Odoi, 20, who wants to fight for his place – despite being linked with Bayern Munich.
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