West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has rejected two contract offers to extend his stay with the Hammers, according to the Guardian.
The newspaper reports that the 22-year-old is a “key target” for Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and the player is “open to leaving” the Hammers for a team that has Champions League football.
Rice is likely to cost £100m, and there are concerns among fans on Twitter that the Blues could pay too much for the England international:
Things are heating up, aren’t they?
— Philippos Moschidis (@PhilipposMos) July 1, 2021
50m no more
— ????? (@SW3CareFree) July 1, 2021
I would love Rice, but not for anything above £60-£70m hopefully. He fits the bill perfectly though. Natural DM with great progessive ability, great leadership qualities, home-grown, only 22 years old, and will happy to stay with us for 10 years! £7m a year, not too bad!
— Sam (@StrattonOakSam) July 1, 2021
Haaland and Rice would be a superb window
— greggles ⭐️⭐️ (@greglee91) July 1, 2021
Am against this signing ?
— EriK (@ErikOmarAbram) July 1, 2021
100 mil though?
— Kyron Jacobs ⭐⭐⭐ (@KyronJacobs2) July 1, 2021
Am all for it if it means we will still have enough money to get Haland
— FLC? (@FLC1517) July 1, 2021
Chelsea are not the only team interested in the midfielder. Both Manchester United and Manchester City are also said to be keen on signing him.
United are reportedly the likeliest out of the two to mount a serious bid for Rice, though, with the Guardian claiming that some of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players in the England squad have been speaking to the West Ham star about moving to Old Trafford.
Even so, it is believed that Chelsea remain the favourites for the player’s signature, mainly due to his friendship with Mason Mount and the fact that he came through the club’s academy.
