West Ham have reportedly turned down a fresh approach for captain Declan Rice from Chelsea.
It has been reported by 90min that Chelsea have again reached out to the Hammers in their pursuit to sign the England international during the summer transfer window.
West Ham though have kept a stern resolve when it comes to keeping their star player and they have long insisted that the 23-year-old will not be sold for anything less than their £150million asking price.
The Blues are said to have contacted West Ham's majority shareholder David Sullivan at the orders of new owner Todd Boehly about conducting a potential deal.
Chelsea though were brushed off and told that Rice is not available for sale this summer.
West Ham are hopeful that Rice, who is contracted until the summer of 2024, will put pen to paper on a new deal before the start of the new season which gets underway on August 5.
Any new deal though may include a release clause for Rice, with the Hammers softening their approach in negotiations to make a new deal is signed.
Rice has previously turned down offers to extend his stay at the London Stadium, despite the club's willingness to make him their highest-paid player.
Chelsea could be set to return with an improved offer by seeing if the Hammers would take on Armando Broja and Ross Barkley in a part exchange deal.
Both Manchester City and Man United are also known admirers, but both clubs have other priorities in this summer's transfer window.
Pep Guardiola's side have agreed a £45million fee with Leeds United to sign Kalvin Phillips as a replacement for Fernandinho, as well as a cheaper alternative to Rice.
West Ham boss David Moyes wants to build a team around Rice and push the team closer to Champions League qualification - after their seventh place finish last year saw them qualify for the Europa Conference League.
The Hammers also came close to winning European silverware after losing to Eintracht Frankurt in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Rice has previously spoken about his ambitions to win trophies during his career.
“I have always said it, I don’t want to have a career where I’ve not won anything,” Rice told Gary Neville on the Overlap podcast.
“Growing up as a kid I’ve seen all these top players win the trophies, win the Premier League, the Champions League.
“Me as a football fan and a player I want to win the best stuff, I want to win the Premier League, I want to lift that trophy, I want to win the Champions League, I want to win the FA Cups, League Cups, even with England, I want to win it all.
“If you haven’t got that ambition as a footballer, why are you playing? They are the best moments of your life winning those trophies.
“I have thought about it before, what would those days be like lifting that trophy? The day of it, the night out after. I definitely want to have those experiences of winning trophies and being the best I can be.'
In the same interview Rice said he didn't listen to the noise surrounding his future and his focus was to 'perform week in, week out' at West Ham.
Joetopasky
0
Its obvious this guy wants to be at a better club but I'm sure West Ham will want to cash in big
Cicbdknoty
0
no 2 rice no 2 overrated player
Jiuabcdisy
0
Rice is being used by the time he realize that it could be too late like Madison
Sahla_HDP
0
so u are telling me west ham will leave their best player for only 45 million common man harry maguire is 80 million
Harry Maguire isn't worth 80M. That's the tag Leicester City put on him, because they didn't want to sell at the time. Manchester gave 80M, they rebuild all their team with that money! Business!
Sahla_HDP
0
I can't understand Tuchel's obsession with Rice. He is overpriced and we rather need to focus on our defence and strike force for now rather than waste money on these overpriced and overrated midfielders.
Because Rice is the play who will engineer the midfield & bring Chelsea to the level of City & Liverpool? How can't people not see that? Declan Rice is the best defensive midfielder of the League & one of the best of the World!
Nebklmr
1
I will rather go for his partner Sorcek...
Sahla_HDP
1
First of all, I won't even talk about Rice being shut by West Ham. Do Sullivan really think, that West Ham can compete with the big 6? Get real and realise your place. West Ham is not a Champions League club. This season, they couldn't even win the Europa League of quality for it! And you actually think that you'll build around Rice, when this one clearly saw that this team won't take it far? Stop pretending that you are a big deal and cash in on Rice now. He already gave your club a lot!
Nebklmr
0
an average player the price is high over y not 50+ that's reasonable
Etilomi0147
2
Free Rice…..stupid club!!
Kicelnpstu
1
West Ham are out to destroy this boys ambition 😂, what a pathetic club
vembcknprt
1
chelsea should find another alternative even we still have some players outside
danriwbik
0
then Armando broja it's worth 200 million pounds
300
JusAKoolGuy
0
It's sad Chelsea board is delusional 😭
Had Roman been still in charge, chelsea would've done signed atleast 2 players
JusAKoolGuy
0
But yet West Ham want to come and buy players cheap, lmfao...Rice isn't even worth half that price[Crylaugh]
agreed
Kaybugar
0
But yet West Ham want to come and buy players cheap, lmfao...Rice isn't even worth half that price[Crylaugh]
It's sad Chelsea board is delusional 😭
Putcdemrt
0
don't sign him it's expensive
soabeoprtz
0
Rice should be 50 to 60 mills not 100 million no way that's total rubbish
Jumachelsea
3
then Armando broja it's worth 200 million pounds
calfred
2
Many are saying England players are overhpyed but Pep keeps paying lots of millions for England players. Y'all talk like your the one that want to use them.
Satbdimo
0
I can't understand Tuchel's obsession with Rice. He is overpriced and we rather need to focus on our defence and strike force for now rather than waste money on these overpriced and overrated midfielders.
chenak
0
If they can not sell him for 30 million pounds, they should forget it
nowadays not even a average player cost that 😂😂
chenak
0
Psg have destroyed these wonderful market.. with signing players that are not worth £190m. Imaging rice that shouldn’t be more than £45m is now on an impossible buy called £150m just because psg as destroyed the market
so u are telling me west ham will leave their best player for only 45 million common man harry maguire is 80 million
Grinfinz
2
Psg have destroyed these wonderful market.. with signing players that are not worth £190m. Imaging rice that shouldn’t be more than £45m is now on an impossible buy called £150m just because psg as destroyed the market
JusAKoolGuy
1
But yet West Ham want to come and buy players cheap, lmfao...Rice isn't even worth half that price[Crylaugh]
tiacmosu
1
I think 150 million for a player who his work is not to score goals is much.A defensive midfielder for 150million football is turning to something else
Biceiory
0
If they can not sell him for 30 million pounds, they should forget it
Jopdentuz
0
How much is a bag of Rice?
🤣🤣🤣 help me ask ooo
Cuban1994
0
Fake
Kinoswald
1
Chealsea fans calling Todd Boehly be like what are is wrong with you
Alfred-90G
1
No Water, we don't want eat Rice, and shall garther here and chi-well
Magpies
0
He's not worth that price, He should be available around £45m max
Duppy147
2
Chelsea don’t need him... we having conor gallagher
Duppy147
1
Rubbish and absolutely nonsense... declan rice is at least £70m
pocaelnrz
1
the worst and slowest market in Chelsea
NorbuG
0
Is Rice really worth of £150million?
I think he is not even worth £50 m.
suybcdeios
5
How much is a bag of Rice?
suybcdeios
4
Is Rice really worth of £150million?
pebbknpst
0
every player is leaving Chelsea no player is willing to come to Chelsea 🤣🤣🤣, no club is selling them players😆😆😆🤣, the new Manchester United
And we're 100% better than city
Emmyjrs
1
Any Interested Club should Promise him a Big wage not to Sign new Contract with Westham so they can get him for less than 50M next summer or Get him for Free in 2Yrs time..🥴😁
tikdotyz
1
we don't need him, over hype English player
zokkmorst
0
every player is leaving Chelsea no player is willing to come to Chelsea 🤣🤣🤣, no club is selling them players😆😆😆🤣, the new Manchester United
kofikay1
2
why is chelsea wasting time on this guy? is he the solution to chelsea problems?