Chelsea: Tuchel could now bring £150m star to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea could splash the cash on West Ham United star Declan Rice when Todd Boehly’s Stamford Bridge takeover officially goes through, according to journalist Jacque Talbot.

Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel will be handed £200million to spend on new players this summer and it seems he could use a sizeable chunk of that figure on Rice.

Rice was released by Chelsea at the age of 14, allowing him to link-up with West Ham, but a return to west London could be on the cards after becoming a long-term target.

That is because it is understood that the central midfielder would prefer to rejoin the Blues if he is to secure a move away from the London Stadium.

Manchester City and Manchester United are also in the running to prise Rice away from West Ham during the upcoming transfer window, which officially opens next month.

But the Hammers are desperate to keep the 23-year-old on their books and, in a bid to deter suitors, have slapped a £150million price tag on him.

Rice made 50 appearances as West Ham finished seventh in the Premier League standings and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League this season.

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Talbot believes Chelsea could succeed in welcoming Rice, who is currently on a £62,000-per-week contract at West Ham, back to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The journalist feels the budget at Tuchel’s disposal would make a big-money move for the midfielder possible.

Talbot told GIVEMESPORT: “If they can get the takeover done, I’ve seen the amounts that they’ve been suggested to have – over £200million to go absolutely nuts – plus the player sales they can make as well, like Werner on a high contract there, then absolutely.

“Rice was in their academy,