Jarrod Bowen has told Todd Boehly exactly why Chelsea should complete the signing of Declan Rice in the upcoming transfer window. The West Ham vice-captain has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this season, with Thomas Tuchel eager to undergo a rebuild this summer.
Rice topped the west London side's shortlist in the summer, but a move was delayed after a £100 million evaluation was tipped 'steep', according to The Athletic. But now, following a handful of imperious displays for the Hammers, David Moyes has since insisted it would take £150m for the 23-year-old to depart the London Stadium.
The England international, who was released from Cobham at the age of 14, sees his current deal at the London Stadium expire in the summer of 2024. However, the east Londoners do have the option to extend that by a further 12 months should West Ham look to retain the 'Premier League's best holding midfielder'.
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Following Bowen's call-up to the England squad, he spoke about the transfer interest in his teammate this season. When asked whether there are many better best holding midfielders in the Premier League than Rice, the West Ham talisman replied: "I don’t think so.
"You look at Dec, he’s getting spoke about more and people are starting to realise what he does, this season he’s gone from strength to strength, he’s got everything you need."
Bowen added by giving a first-person account of Rice's road to superstardom. He said: "I don’t see it as a distraction, it goes to show the steps he’s made in the past two years since the Euros final.
"I think in the Euros, Dec showed what he was about and people started to understand him a bit more and how good he is - I see it in training. He’s gone onto another level and of course you want to play with the players at the highest level. I want to play with Dec at my club and the country as well."
Boehly's reported 'push for A-list signings' and Tuchel's eagerness for a rebuild this summer has coincided with Chelsea's ongoing interest in Rice. Speaking to football.london, the Blues boss said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."