---
title: "West Ham United: Chelsea in pole position for Declan Rice"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/declan-rice-chelsea-agreement-transfer-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2022-02-28T17:35:19Z"
modified: "2022-02-28T17:35:19Z"
---

# West Ham United: Chelsea in pole position for Declan Rice

**Chelsea are ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, according to a report which claims that an agreement has been made with the Blues.**

### The Lowdown: Rice is a man in demand

The Hammers vice-captain has been subject to heavy interest from a number of European giants, including the likes of [Real Madrid](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/chelsea-declan-rice-transfer-madrid-23091511), who are said to be monitoring the player.

However, it is suitors from the Premier League who have been drawing the greatest interest, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea [all named](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/4584813/man-united-eye-declan-rice-among-transfer-targets-as-midfield-overhaul-prioritised-after-quiet-window) in the running for the England international’s signature.

Irons manager David Moyes had previously slapped a [£100m price tag](https://www.teamtalk.com/west-ham-united/chelsea-strike-declan-rice-agreement-nine-figure-fee-negotiated) on the 23-year-old, whereas now it is claimed that it would take in excess of [£120m](https://www.90min.com/posts/david-moyes-revises-declan-rice-100m-price-tag) for West Ham to consider selling their star man.

[West Ham latest news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-copy/)

### The Latest: Rice agreement with Chelsea

According to a [Spanish report](https://todofichajes.com/el-chelsea-a-romper-el-mercado-con-declan-rice/) relayed by [TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/west-ham-united/chelsea-strike-declan-rice-agreement-nine-figure-fee-negotiated), Chelsea are in pole position to sign Rice.

It is claimed that the midfielder has agreed personal terms with his boyhood club, dealing both Manchester clubs a huge blow in their respective pursuits of the player.

The report added that the Hammers could be in line to generate a nine-figure sum if they sell the 23-year-old in the summer whilst their bargaining position is strong. This is due to a clause in his contract which allows the club to extend his deal by an extra year, taking it [beyond 2024](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/profil/spieler/357662).

### The Verdict: Could be a poor decision

Having recently turned 23, it is astonishing to note that Rice has made [178 appearances for the Irons](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/leistungsdaten/spieler/357662), with 157 of those coming in the Premier League.

The midfielder has been instrumental in Moyes’ success at the east London club, particularly this season given West Ham’s push for a top-four finish, with the England international ranked as the squad’s best-performing player by [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/west-ham-united/37).

He is an asset both offensively and defensively. Not only does Rice rank in the 95th percentile for interceptions, he simultaneously ranks in the 92nd percentile for progressive carries (via [FB Ref](https://fbref.com/en/players/1c7012b8/Declan-Rice)).

Therefore, if GSB do opt to sell him in the summer, they may be reaping a lucrative transfer fee but they would also be allowing the club’s [highest-valued playing asset](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-ham-united/startseite/verein/379) (and, as illustrated above, arguably they best player) to join a London rival, which may not go down at all well with the fan base.

***In other news: [Roshane Thomas has made a significant revelation about one West Ham player’s contract situation](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/ben-johnson-west-ham-long-term-contract-snub/)***