Chelsea and Man United have been told of West Ham ’s stance on a transfer for midfielder Declan Rice this summer. It comes after both sides have been heavily linked with the England international in the past few months.
For the Blues, Rice could help solve a long-term issue as well as one being faced in the next year. Key duo Jorginho and N’Golo Kante only have 12-months remaining on their contracts at Stamford Bridge, creating a threat over a lack of options in the middle, should they leave.
football.london understands neither player has held contract talks with the club as of this current moment. Plenty of sides have been linked with both, but Thomas Tuchel is keen to avoid a repeat of a situation he faced this summer.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Ousmane Dembele 'really close', Ziyech message, Raphinha U-turn
That was the loss of both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as free transfers, which hit the Blues hard at the back. Tuchel said of the midfield situation and it’s similarity: “Nobody wants that with big players and important players nowadays.
“It's a wish as a coach that we solve this in the summer in any way, that we solve it and it's clear where the journey is and what the decision is. Yes, this is the wish.”
While contracts could be one way to solve that issue, it leaves the question over the long-term plan for the midfield. A number of younger options have been linked, including Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and West Ham midfielder Rice.
The latter has impressed for the past few seasons, with manager David Moyes quoting £150million for his services elsewhere. However, the Scotsman has since come out and claimed he is not for sale.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “No bids. We wouldn’t be taking any, anyway. We’ve said all along he’s not for sale.”
It could leave the Blues looking at other targets, however the 23-year-old only has two-years remaining on his deal at the London Stadium and is said to have rejected new proposals. If Tuchel wanted to play the long game, he could land his man, but it appears that it won’t be this summer.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea handed huge Cristiano Ronaldo transfer boost as Thomas Tuchel nears double Man City raid
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from Stamford Bridge
Full Chelsea Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Chelsea news: New Raphinha bid prepared as Frenkie de Jong’s agent arrives in London for talks
Todd Boehly told what he has to do for Chelsea to secure Matthijs de Ligt transfer
