Chelsea 'plot' to target Arsenal at 'box office' - two players to leave to 'facilitate new addition'
Chelsea are reportedly 'plotting' a move for 'another big-money midfielder' before this summer and they are interested in Arsenal target Declan Rice.
The West Ham United midfielder is expected to leave the club this summer as the player is set to play for a club competing in the Champions League.
Rice has consistently been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the past two seasons and he deserves a move to one of the best teams in the league.
A move to Chelsea has always been discussed as he had a spell with the London side as an academy player before joining West Ham.
It was then that Arsenal would have identified him as a priority target before the summer transfer window.
Chelsea paid an estimated £106million to sign Enzo Fernandez last month, but Football Insider reports they are "still preparing a raid for a" midfield signing at the box- office".
The Blues are “eager to strengthen in midfield” and the report adds that Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek “could make room for new additions”.
Rice is a 'target' for Chelsea as he would be seen as a 'leader' and someone who would be a 'long-term pillar' in Graham Potter's squad.
Arsenal are 'at the front of the race for his signature' and although Rice has an 'open mind' about his future, he is 'eager' to stay in London.
It has been suggested that Rice could cost up to £120million this summer and former Tottenham player Jamie O'Hara thinks he is 'a little overpriced'.
"I think Declan Rice is a bit overrated, to be honest. He's a brilliant player, I like him a lot, but he plays for West Ham; Enzo Fernandez won the World Cup, so you can see where his price is coming from. Rice is brilliant, but not at this level. Will he break the UK transfer record? I don't think so," O'Hara said.
"If Chelsea sign Rice and have two central midfielders for over £100m, and they don't win the Premier League title, I will be amazed.
"Chelsea spent all that money on Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk, all those players for £600m, and now they're bringing in Declan Rice?"
O'Hara added: "I don't know what their (Chelsea) plan is. I think the owner is playing Football Manager, I don't care what anyone says. is in place and they are excited about the future.
"They have players in prison in the team, they have nine-year contracts; it's ridiculous. Declan Rice will probably go there, but how many more do they need? 200 million pounds for these two central midfielders? I prefer to have Claude Makelele and N'Golo Kante when he is fit."
READ MORE: Arsenal's blood pressure, Guardiola's bunker mentality and the PGMOL characteristic of winners and losers
Chelsea are reportedly 'plotting' a move for 'another big-money midfielder' before this summer and they are interested in Arsenal target Declan Rice.
The West Ham United midfielder is expected to leave the club this summer as the player is set to play for a club competing in the Champions League.
Rice has consistently been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the past two seasons and he deserves a move to one of the best teams in the league.
A move to Chelsea has always been discussed as he had a spell with the London side as an academy player before joining West Ham.
It was then that Arsenal would have identified him as a priority target before the summer transfer window.
Chelsea paid an estimated £106million to sign Enzo Fernandez last month, but Football Insider reports they are "still preparing a raid for a" midfield signing at the box- office".
The Blues are “eager to strengthen in midfield” and the report adds that Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek “could make room for new additions”.
Rice is a 'target' for Chelsea as he would be seen as a 'leader' and someone who would be a 'long-term pillar' in Graham Potter's squad.
Arsenal are 'at the front of the race for his signature' and although Rice has an 'open mind' about his future, he is 'eager' to stay in London.
It has been suggested that Rice could cost up to £120million this summer and former Tottenham player Jamie O'Hara thinks he is 'a little overpriced'.
"I think Declan Rice is a bit overrated, to be honest. He's a brilliant player, I like him a lot, but he plays for West Ham; Enzo Fernandez won the World Cup, so you can see where his price is coming from. Rice is brilliant, but not at this level. Will he break the UK transfer record? I don't think so," O'Hara said.
"If Chelsea sign Rice and have two central midfielders for over £100m, and they don't win the Premier League title, I will be amazed.
"Chelsea spent all that money on Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk, all those players for £600m, and now they're bringing in Declan Rice?"
O'Hara added: "I don't know what their (Chelsea) plan is. I think the owner is playing Football Manager, I don't care what anyone says. is in place and they are excited about the future.
"They have players in prison in the team, they have nine-year contracts; it's ridiculous. Declan Rice will probably go there, but how many more do they need? 200 million pounds for these two central midfielders? I prefer to have Claude Makelele and N'Golo Kante when he is fit."
READ MORE: Arsenal's blood pressure, Guardiola's bunker mentality and the PGMOL characteristic of winners and losers
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