Revealed: Chelsea learn new price tag for West Ham's Rice

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 13 Dec 2022 10:02 GMT
• 3 min read

Declan Rice's new price tag for the 2023 summer transfer window has been revealed, with the West Ham United midfielder wanted by the biggest clubs in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old is currently in Qatar on England duty for the World Cup, but transfer talk about him still remains bubbling away, and it's now been reported that West Ham have set a new price tag for clubs wishing to purchase him next summer.

Rice has gathered plenty of transfer speculation over the past few years, with a return to Chelsea heavily mooted while Manchester United have also been linked on numerous occasions.

READ: Chelsea transfer target branded 'incredible' by John Terry

A move back to Stamford Bridge, after spending time in his youth at the club, is deemed the most likely, with Rice often hanging out with Chelsea players on England duty and on holiday.

Furthermore, Jorginho and N'Golo Kante will become free agents in 2023 as things stand, meaning the Blues need to refresh their midfield options.

In addition, Rice, who is now captain of West Ham following Mark Noble's retirement in the summer, is reportedly "100%" likely to leave the Hammers next summer, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law.

READ: Chelsea's €320m double swoop for England stars

What has been said

Speaking on the London is Blue podcast, Law said: "Rice, he will definitely, definitely leave West Ham at the end of this season. I’m 100 per cent confident on that.

“West Ham are preparing to sell Declan Rice. I think it’ll be about £70 million."

That is lower than has previously been mentioned, with rumours of a fee exceeding £100m banded around in the past.

However, Chelsea won't have a free run at the midfielder, says Law. "Chelsea aren’t actually in pole position at the moment for Declan Rice. There are a couple of clubs who have made big plays for Declan Rice," he revealed.

"But that’s not because Chelsea aren’t going to. That’s just because a couple of clubs have tried to go early on Rice.

“And again, I would expect Chelsea to move on Rice and again I would be quite surprised if anyone outbids Chelsea on Rice. Albeit, as I say, I think there are two Premier League clubs ahead of them at the moment."