West Ham vice-captain Declan Rice may be the trump card in the Hammers’ attempts to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer, according to insider ExWHUemployee.
Reports in the English media suggest West Ham are one of five clubs interested in the 23-year-old with Aston Villa, Leicester City, Brighton and Southampton also said to be keen. However, speaking on his West Ham Way Patreon, ExWHUemployee explained Rice’s friendship with the forward could play an important role:
“His friendship with captain Declan Rice is thought to be something else that could be a factor in any deal having known each other from their Chelsea youth team days.”
The likelihood of Abraham leaving Chelsea in the summer is increasing. It is believed that the Blues’ pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has unsettled the player, who has decided not to enter talks over a contract extension. His current deal expires in 2023.
The England international is also struggling to impress new manager Thomas Tuchel, with the forward having been left out of the matchday squad entirely for the game against Manchester United last weekend.
