CHELSEA are set to offer Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in exchange for West Ham’s Declan Rice, according to reports.
The Blues have already splurged over £200million on exciting new talent this summer.
Declan Rice remains a key target for ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
Chelsea could offer Loftus-Cheek and Rudiger in exchangeCredit: Reuters
But manager Frank Lampard still wants to improve his defensive options after a leaky start to the season.
And West Ham star Rice remains a long-term preferred target, having played for Chelsea’s academy sides alongside Mason Mount.
The Blues have been reluctant to stump up the Hammers’ asking price, in the region of £70m.
But according to the Transfer Window Podcast, they may have found another way to tempt West Ham into selling their star asset.
They claim that out-of-favour misfits Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be sent to the London Stadium in exchange.
Both are struggling for minutes in Lampard’s side, having fallen behind new recruits Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz.
And the duo are eager for first-team football to try and secure their spots in their national squads for next year’s Euros.
Rudiger, 27, is reluctant to join David Moyes’ side, however, and has also been linked with Tottenham.
Chelsea have leaked goals already this seasonCredit: EPA
Loftus-Cheek, on the other hand, just wants to get game time having spent so much time on the treatment table.
Should Chelsea successfully prise Rice away from East London, Lampard could utilise him at centre-back.
And the Blues could do with improvement in that area, having conceded six goals in their opening three Premier League matches this season.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
