---
title: "Chelsea: Blues must offer at least £65m to complete Declan Rice transfer"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-must-offer-65-million-for-west-ham-declan-rice-transfer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Georgia Goulding"
section: "Chelsea Football Club"
published: "2020-07-31T15:00:21Z"
modified: "2020-07-31T15:00:21Z"
---

# Chelsea: Blues must offer at least £65m to complete Declan Rice transfer

**Chelsea are still in pursuit of West Ham’s Declan Rice, but their local rivals aren’t willing to give up their prized asset for cheap.**

[According to The Guardian,](https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/29/chelsea-hope-ben-chilwell-will-request-transfer-to-lower-asking-price?__twitter_impression=true) the Irons will reject any effort made by Chelsea to table a swap deal for Rice’s signature. The Blues were originally hoping to knock down his hefty asking price by offering Michy Batshuayi and Ross Barkley as part of a player-plus-cash transfer. However, West Ham aren’t interested in trading personnel and strictly want the cash should a deal go through.

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Frank Lampard has already welcomed new recruits Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, plus [talks with Kai Havertz are accelerating.](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1315984/Chelsea-news-Marina-Granovskaia-Kai-Havertz-transfer-Bayer-Leverkusen) The club have already acknowledged their struggles in defence and have eyed Rice as an ideal addition to the squad.

The 21-year-old can play in both midfield and in the heart of the back four which will provide crucial cover for Chelsea moving forwards. However, his attacking stats leave a lot to be desired, with just three goals across his career so far (via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/357662)).

If they want to push forwards with a deal for Rice, West Ham won’t accept anything less than £65million. [According to ESPN,](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/4141433/transfer-window-preview-chelsea-to-land-havertz-united-to-sign-sancho) Roman Abramovich has given Lampard a £120million spending budget, not including what has already been spent this summer.

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Chelsea could definitely afford to splash the cash on a move for the England international, particularly if they team him up with best friend Mason Mount in midfield. Rice has even told the Hammers that [he desires a move to Stamford Bridge,](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours/major-chelsea-transfer-target-declan-rice-wants-move-away-from-west-ham/) now he must wait to see if Chelsea grant his wish.

***Do you think Chelsea should opt to pay the fee for Declan Rice this summer? Join the conversation in the comments below…***