West Ham ace fuels talk of Chelsea switch after admitting dream link-up

West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice has once again fuelled speculation that he could be ready to join Chelsea this summer.

Reports emerged in March that Blues boss Frank Lampard was ready to make a move for Rice when the upcoming transfer window opens, especially given the rumours that the Stamford Bridge outfit could be ready to sell N’Golo Kante to Real Madrid.

Rice, 21, was previously on the books of Chelsea, where he played alongside good friend Mason Mount at youth level, and admits that he is keen to do so again at club level.

“Yeah I’d love to, I’d love to play with him at club level again,” Rice told Copa90.

“One thing we’ve always said as kid we’d love to play with each other at club and international level. But obviously you never know because of different paths and things like that.”

After being released by Chelsea, Rice joined the Hammers academy, progressing through the ranks and going on to make exactly 100 senior appearances for the club to date.

He is valued at around £60million, but Chelsea could face a fight to get him on board, with Manchester United and Arsenal also linked with Rice in the past two transfer windows.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid full-back Achraf Hakimi is not ruling out a move this summer after being linked with the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Hakimi signed for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund on a two-year loan deal back in 2018 and is due to return to the Spanish capital this summer – or when the currently suspended 2019-20 campaign finally concludes, with FIFA advising that all loan deals are adjusted to reflect the new time frame for the season.

 

 

All three London clubs have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old, who has emerged as one of the brightest right-back talents in European football, with Bayern Munich, Juventus and PSG also said to be keen on his signature.

Asked if he was flattered by the interest, Achraf told Cadena SER, via the Evening Standard: “Who does not like it? I am proud of what I am doing.” Read more…