Chelsea plotting move for West Ham contract rebel Declan Rice – despite releasing him as a kid
Rice, 19, joined Chelsea as a seven-year-old and stayed at the club until he was 14
CHELSEA are plotting a move for former Academy player Declan Rice, according to reports.
The West Ham contract rebel is locked in negotiations over a new deal but the Blues are said to be interested in the midfielder, who spent seven years at Stamford Bridge.
Rice, 19, grew up in Kingston upon Thames, joining the Chelsea academy at seven.
He stayed with the Blues for seven years before moving to West Ham's youth team at the age of 14.
According to the , Chelsea are ready to offer Rice £40,000 a week to return to Stamford Bridge.
Rice, who currently earns £3,000 per week, has impressed under new manager Manuel Pellegrini.
However, he has already turned down an improved offer of a £20,000-a-week deal and is believed to be holding out for more.
He has a contract at West Ham until 2020 but knows his value having started in each of the last six matches.
Chelsea are searching for buyers for Tiemoue Bakayoko, who has no future at the club, and Danny Drinkwater, who is expected to leave in January.
Rice, who has Irish parents, is also locked in a tug-of-war at international level.
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He has played at every level for the Republic of Ireland from Under-16s up and even has three senior appearances.
However, he is still eligible to play for England as those run-outs came in friendlies.