Journalist Peter O’Rourke claims West Ham vice-captain Declan Rice is very much open to a return to Chelsea.
The 22-year-old was an academy player with the Blues before he left for the Hammers and O’Rourke says the midfielder has some unfinished business at Stamford Bridge:
“I think, ideally, if Declan Rice could move, he would love to go back to Chelsea where it all started for him. Obviously, it didn’t happen for him at his first time, but he’s bounced back and really done a great job at West Ham.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Rice will be leaving the London Stadium this summer, though. O’Rourke believes West Ham have no intention of letting the England international leave at this stage, and would only consider a sale if they were offered a massive sum:
“West Ham can’t really afford to let him go unless there’s a crazy offer, and I’m talking probably £100 million I think you’d have to be bidding for West Ham to be thinking to lose Declan Rice. He’s just such a talismanic figure for the club right now, for the fans, and I think if they were to sell him this summer for anything less than that, especially to a Premier League rival, it would be a real sucker-punch for the Hammers fans who love Declan Rice, and Declan Rice seems to enjoy playing for West Ham.”
“But I think the time will come, if West Ham aren’t able to repeat the success they had last season, then Declan Rice will be looking to move on and be moving to a club challenging for honours on a consistent basis.”
Rice has spoken about his future plans in the past, and supporters will be hoping that he can realise some of his ambitions at the Irons. However, even with the London club slapping a huge price tag on the player, it won’t stop the speculation. In addition to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are both thought to be fans of the player, so manager David Moyes knows he has a battle on his hands to keep hold of him.
