West Ham will not sell Declan Rice to Chelsea

West Ham United do not want to sell Declan Rice to Chelsea in the summer transfer window, according to The Guardian. It has been reported that the Blues want to sign the 21-year-old – who can operate as a central defender or as a defensive midfielder – but their Premier League and London rivals are adamant that the England international will not be sold.

Rice is one of the best young players in the Premier League, and reported interest from Chelsea does not come as a surprise. Blessed with the talent and the versatility to play in defence and in midfielder, the 21-year-old was actually at Chelsea before he was released and he subsequently joined West Ham.

West Ham are a big club in England, but the Hammers only just managed to stave off the dreaded drop to the Championship this past season. With Chelsea playing in the Champions League next season and also aiming to challenge for the Premier League, Rice could be tempted to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.