Chelsea move 'would appeal' to £72m midfielder at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea would appeal to West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, says talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The England international continues to be linked to the west London side, and while Crook is convinced he will remain at his current club for another year, the journalist believes he would take the opportunity to move to Stamford Bridge if it presented itself.

Last month, 90min reported that Chelsea had a fresh approach for Rice turned down by West Ham.

According to the football website, the Hammers have no intention of selling the 23-year-old this summer unless their £150m valuation is met.

It is an enormous figure, with Transfermarkt only valuing Rice at £72m, but he has become an essential part of this West Ham side and has played a huge role in their recent success under David Moyes.

Last season, he made almost 50 appearances for the east London club and averaged the most interceptions per league game in Moyes’ squad (via WhoScored).

Crook thinks Chelsea remain an attractive destination to Rice, though he cannot see anything happening in this transfer window.

Discussing whether a move to Stamford Bridge would interest him, the talkSPORT reporter told GIVEMESPORT: “Declan Rice, I think he’s accepted that he’ll probably give West Ham one more year and then move on.

“But I do think it would appeal to him, obviously having come through their ranks and his relationship with Mason Mount as well.”

It is clear that Chelsea have Rice on their list, but he does not look to be a priority for them at this moment in time.

That is probably largely down to his price tag, with manager Thomas Tuchel not in a position where he can afford to spend £150m on a single player.

It has been widely reported that the German has been handed a £200m