---
title: "Chelsea: Blues still ‘want’ West Ham midfielder Declan Rice but ‘need’ to raise transfer funds"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-blues-still-want-west-ham-midfielder-declan-rice-but-need-to-raise-transfer-funds/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Chelsea Football Club"
published: "2020-08-21T16:40:57Z"
modified: "2020-08-21T16:40:57Z"
---

# Chelsea: Blues still ‘want’ West Ham midfielder Declan Rice but ‘need’ to raise transfer funds

**According to a report from [the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/20/chelsea-move-closer-to-signing-kai-havertz-from-bayer-leverkusen), while Chelsea remain in the hunt for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, the Blues will need to raise transfer funds through player sales in order to make it happen.**

Meanwhile, reports linking Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz with a move continue to accelerate, with this Guardian update claiming Chelsea ‘[edge closer](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/20/chelsea-move-closer-to-signing-kai-havertz-from-bayer-leverkusen)‘ to securing a deal for the 6ft 2 attacker.

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In this piece, journalist Jacob Steinburg claims that Frank Lampard’s side still ‘[want](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/20/chelsea-move-closer-to-signing-kai-havertz-from-bayer-leverkusen)‘ Hammers star Rice, who is valued at £44.5 million by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/profil/spieler/357662), and they have listed a number of potential Chelsea players who could make way to balance the books.

Indeed, Emerson Palmieri and Jorginho are two candidates who could [leave Stamford Bridge](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/20/chelsea-move-closer-to-signing-kai-havertz-from-bayer-leverkusen), with both men attracting interest from Serie A giants.

Meanwhile, sporting director Marina Granovskaia may have informed manager Lampard that he will need to sell one of his four centre-backs before potentially investing in a new defensive asset.

Given Rice’s accolades last season, as well as his growing reputation, it’s little wonder why the west London side are contemplating a move for the England international.

According to [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/332325/Show/Declan-Rice), the 21-year-old averaged an impressive 3.1 tackles per 90 over 2019/2020, more than [any Chelsea man in that time](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/15/Show/England-Chelsea) – all whilst making the same number of interceptions ([2](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/15/Show/England-Chelsea)) as Blues star N’Golo Kante.

These numbers, while noteworthy, could support the theory he is in a ‘similar’ mould to ex-Premier League star Javier Mascherano – as claimed by former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini ([BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47323633)).

While Chelsea have a number of transfer targets on their minds, Rice should arguably stay at the forefront, especially if Lampard hopes to patch up an otherwise leaky defence.

***Blues, should Declan Rice be a priority transfer target for Granovskaia? Join the discussion by commenting below…***