Chelsea lead Declan Rice transfer race ahead of Man Utd as his old club target from West Ham crashes

CHELSEA are reportedly leading the race for England midfielder Declan Rice.

The Blues have been chasing the West Ham ace for almost three years but have yet to close in to secure his signature.

4

4

4

However, Rice’s future at London Stadium is currently in the stars with 18 months left on his contract.

And the midfielder refused THREE new contract offers from the Hammers.

Rice will not be sold in the upcoming January transfer window but West Ham could benefit from him in the summer.

And The Athletic claim Chelsea are in the pick position to land the 23-year-old – who was once in their academy books – ahead of their Premier League rivals.

However, it is claimed that the Blues are worried they could be put on his signature by Manchester United or Manchester City.

Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard revealed last April that he had tried everything to bring Rice to Stamford Bridge.

He said: “We are lucky to have him in England. West Ham are lucky to have him.

“He’s a leader and it’s clear he’s destined for great things.

“I probably let it on as I spoke about him, but I think it’s common knowledge that I was a huge fan of his.

“It didn’t happen for various reasons, but we brought in a lot of players over the summer. But I was a big fan of his.”

Rice put the Premier League big boys on red alert after England’s World Cup Round of 16 win over Senegal by reaffirming his desire to play in the Champions League.

He said: “I want to play in the Champions League 100 percent.

“I’ve been saying that for two or three years.

4

“I’ve consistently played well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing.

“I see my friends here playing the Champions League and fighting for big trophies.”

He added: “You only get one career and at the end you want to look back on what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.

“I really want to do that.”

Rice and his West Ham team-mates will be back in action on Boxing Day, traveling to the Emirates to face Arsenal.