Transfer News: West Ham Midfielder Shows Love For Chelsea In New Video, Drops Major Hints

It was reported last week that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is being scouted by Manchester United.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Rice had talks with other Manchester United players about the club, while they were on a mission to represent England at the World Cup qualifiers last month.

However, it’s not only Manchester United that is interested in the 22-year-old midfielder.

Rice has also been garnering interest from Manchester City and, more recently, Chelsea.

In a YouTube video for England’s national team channel “Lion’s Den”, Rice was joined by Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and they were asked to make a combined Chelsea and West Ham five-a-side team.

Rice’s answer further fueled the flames of a transfer to Chelsea.

The defensive-minded midfielder then stressed that he wouldn’t include any keepers or central defenders.

“My first thoughts are to put me and [N’Golo] Kante together to protect the goal. You [Mount] in front,” said Rice.

“It will go me [Rice] and Kante, you [Mount], and my forward will be Michael Antonio,” to which Mount then proceeded to round off the squad with having Kai Havertz.

Those statements just ensured that Rice is very much considering a move to Chelsea sooner rather than later.

However, if Chelsea were to pursue the midfielder, they’ll need to have to pony up around £100 million ($138.3 million) to pry him away from West Ham, despite the club’s insistence that Rice is definitely not for sale.

Rice still has three years left on his current deal, and West Ham is under no pressure to sell the defensive-minded midfielder just yet.

It is widely believed that Rice would want to be informed of any bids that come in this summer, so that he may properly evaluate what he does next.

The midfielder would also be “disappointed" if bids in the £60 million ($83 million) range are not entertained by the club.