Once Chelsea have announced the signing of new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes, there could be one last major piece of business they will look to tie up before the summer window draws to a close.
The Blues are poised to make a late move to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, according to a a number of top sources, as Fabrizio Romano explains here…
there’s still no bid from Chelsea to sign Rice… they’re gonna complete Mendy deal and then Chelsea will try for Rice [West Ham insist they won’t sell him]. But at the moment no bid, nothing refused, no 45m or 60m bid…
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 13, 2020
Rice seems to be a real priority for Frank Lampard, but any deal looks like it will be difficult to do.
However, Chelsea may well look at offering a player or two in order to sweeten up the deal and bring the £80 million reported fee down.
Yes I think they will too. I’ve been told around £80m https://t.co/JXhiXvW6IR
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) September 14, 2020
As per David Ornstein of The Athletic, West Ham are interested in signing Blues left back Emerson Palmieri.
Chelsea could well take advantage of this interest and try and include the Italian in as part of the deal.
Ross Barkley could also be a player that Chelsea might want to use to bring the fee down.
