West Ham will reportedly be willing to listen to offers for midfielder Declan Rice next summer, according to Hammers expert ExWHUEmployee.
The 23-year-old has been a known transfer target for Chelsea for several years, with David Moyes publically rejecting the interest on several occasions, even stating that Rice is valued at over £100m. The midfielder, who Chelsea released at the age of 14, is likely to start England's opening game at the World Cup against Iran on Monday afternoon.
Rice has made 34 appearances for the national team and started every game for Gareth Southgate at the European Championships in 2021.
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The clock continues to tick down on Rice's current contract at The London Stadium, which expires in June 2024 and it what widely reported in June 2021 that he would not be signing a new one with the East London club.
Graham Potter will be hoping for some recruitment in January after a dismal run of form in the Premier League, with Chelsea losing their last three league games before the World Cup break. Central midfield has been an area of concern for some time at Stamford Bridge, with Rice the most notable target named tracking back to Frank Lampard's time in charge.
Rice is predicted to start alongside another target in Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and his long-time friend and Chelsea star Mason Mount in a 4-3-3 formation, with Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka ahead of the midfield trio.
The midfield area remains uncertain for Chelsea and Todd Boehly, given the contract situation regarding N'Golo Kante and Jorginho. Both players could depart for nothing next summer, whilst the debate around handing them an extension remains complicated too.
Kante's injury issues have been persistent since 2019, and his current hamstring issue will keep him out until February at the earliest. Jorginho has remained a more durable figure for several Chelsea coaches, but his age and form have been of concern in such a vital area.
Ahead of January, Edson Alvarez of Ajax could spring up as an alternative to Rice, given the links that materialised very late in the summer. Moises Caicedo of Brighton is another name noted who featured in Ecuador's opening win over hosts Qatar on Sunday.
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