CHELSEA could have the best chance of signing West Ham star Declan Rice next summer but N’Golo Kante may have to leave first, according to reports.
Rice, 23, is reportedly keen on joining Chelsea over interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.
He was a big fan of The Blues growing up and last week revealed he still frequently speaks to Chelsea legend John Terry.
But Chelsea would first need to sell Kante to free up a position in their squad for Rice, which is a possibility given the Frenchman’s age, report The Mail.
That is a blow for United who have made Rice their top transfer priority ahead of the summer.
The England star has been on the club’s radar for some time, with Ralf Rangnick agreeing to make him their no 1 target.
And after a disappointing window in which West Ham failed to make a single signing, the club are braced for bids for Rice.
But it will reportedly take at least £100million to prise the midfielder away from East London.
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He still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, with West Ham having the option to trigger his stay by an extra year.
But Rice is determined to play Champions League football and previously turned down offers of a new deal from The Hammers.
Manchester City have made advances to sign Rice before and looked guaranteed to finish in the top four this season.
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea also have Champions league ambitions however and Rice is said to be keen on returning to the club which previously released him aged 14.
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