Granovskaia tells Lampard the only January deal Chelsea will sanction
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia has reportedly informed Frank Lampard that the Blues hierarchy will only sanction one transfer in January.
The London giants shelled out around £230m this summer on the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell. However, despite their lavish spending, Chelsea are currently four points worse off than at the same stage last season.
Indeed, Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Arsenal leaves Chelsea down in eighth – seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Indeed, three defeats in their last four games have seen Lampard being told by one pundit he’s in growing danger of the sack.
Having spent so lavishly over the summer, Lampard has been told he needs to work with what he’s got to get Chelsea upwardly mobile.
However, The Athletic claims there is one signing Blues director Granovskaia would sanction were the chance to arise.
As per the article, Chelsea’s hierarchy remains determined to lure Declan Rice back to Stamford Bridge from West Ham.
The England man was released by the Blues in 2014 and fits the mould for the type of player they wish to sign.
Rice was subject of Chelsea interest over the summer, with West Ham standing firm in their wish to keep him.
But the article claims the Blues remain attentive to Rice’s situation. It’s claimed they would happily spend in excess of £50m to bring him back across London were the Hammers to give any indication he can leave.
Prising Rice back to Stamford Bridge won’t be easy, however. West Ham boss David Moyes has made it crystal clear that he is banking on Rice staying at the London Stadium for the long haul.
“I am confident he will be here because he is under contract,” Moyes said. “But whatever club you are at, even the biggest clubs sell their best players at the right value.
“My intention is not to sell Declan at all, my intention is to keep him.”
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‘Bank of England money’ for Rice
Moyes continued: “We can’t stop other clubs making offers but I’m guessing you [the media] will speculate. But the truth is we have had no offers for anybody.
“He is a really good player and I see him helping us. I hope that he sees what we are trying to add which will make him excited about being at West Ham.
“Declan was reassured when he signed a five-year contract, when you do that you decide you are committed to the club. If somebody then turns up and offers you a bundle of cash, that’s the club’s decision.
“I think Declan is the future captain of West Ham going forward. When Mark Noble comes to an end I think it will be Declan Rice.
“We have no intention of letting him go but if it does come it will need to be ‘Bank of England’ money.”
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