Declan Rice ‘pushing’ for Chelsea transfer as West Ham insist they won’t sell England defender
DECLAN RICE is pushing for a transfer to Chelsea, according to reports.
But West Ham are insistent they will not sell the England star.
According to journalist , the Hammers vice-captain is keen to get a move back to Chelsea.
There is a suggestion that Rice's agent is already in negotiations with the Stamford Bridge club over a potential move with the two clubs close to beginning talks.
However, SunSport understands there still has been no official bid put in from any club for the Three Lions international as of yet.
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Rice, 21, was released by the Blues at the age of 14 before making the switch across London, where he has made 111 first-team appearances.
Chelsea have already spent £230million in this summer transfer window to bring in Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and now Edouard Mendy.
But with less than two weeks to go before deadline day, Frank Lampard is thought to be keen to complete his spree by landing Rice.
However, West Ham value their star - who can play in midfield or defence - at around £80million.
That is more than the Blues would be willing to stump up so they will hope to push that figure down, just as they did to sign Ben Chilwell for £50m as opposed to the £70m Leicester wanted.
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Chelsea fans were left convinced Rice would join them after the West Ham star was pictured with "Agent Drogba".
The Hammers ace was enjoying a well-deserved holiday with best mate - and Blues star - Mason Mount in Mykonos, Greece when he bumped into the Ivorian icon.
Rice came under fire for his performance in the 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle on the opening day of the season.
He captained the side in the absence of Mark Noble as they lost at Arsenal on Saturday.