Chelsea Rumors: Insider Names Blues' $138M 'Priority' Next Transfer Window

An insider has dropped a major hint on which player Chelsea has earmarked as a top target in the next transfer window.

Chelsea is looking quite steady with its frontline being spearheaded by summer signing Romelu Lukaku.

However, widespread rumors swirl that the reigning UEFA Champions League winners are looking to add a well-rounded midfielder in the next window.

Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked to a switch to the Blues, but according to reputable transfer insider and Eurosport’s Dean Jones, Chelsea is still prioritizing a transfer swoop for West Ham United’s Declan Rice.

"[ Aurelien] Tchouameni was just an opportunity that arose during the window,” Jones exclusively told Give Me Sport. “They seem to think a lot of him and they know there will be competition for Tchouameni when the time comes.”

"Ultimately, Chelsea has other priorities in that position,” he added. “Declan Rice is one that everybody knows about."

Rice was honed by the Blues during his boyhood years. In an earlier interview, Jones bared that Chelsea has remained “open” to the idea of bringing back the talented midfielder.

“One thing for sure is that Chelsea is completely open to bringing him back and that they’ll keep those discussions open,” the insider revealed. “And West Ham obviously don’t want to sell him.”

“We’ll see how the season goes for them."

After six seasons with West Ham, Rice’s value has skyrocketed and reports state that the Hammers have placed a staggering £100million ($138 million) price tag for his transfer.

The aforementioned figure was reportedly set to possibly fend off interest from big-name clubs such as Manchester United.

Commenting on the subject, West Ham boss David Moyes refuted that Rice is worth £100million ($138 million).

For Moyes, the 22-year-old is worth “far, far more” than the said amount.

"I don't agree with the [West Ham] owners that Declan Rice is a £100 million footballer,” Moyes said last month. “Far, far more than £100 million. Far, far more.”

"I look at the players who have joined some clubs from overseas and come in and nowhere near had the impact Declan Rice would have,” the manager continued. "I certainly wouldn't put a price on it. You can decide which figure you want to put on it but I wouldn't be sanctioning anything like that, that's for sure."