Chelsea boss Frank Lampard ready to beat Man Utd to summer transfer in Ed Woodward blow

Posted Tuesday, March 24, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. The England international has been tipped to leave east London at the end of the season. Manchester United are big admirers of the 21-year-old, with Rice fitting their transfer philosophy of young, British talent.

However, Sky Sports now claim Chelsea have joined the race to sign the defensive midfielder.

Blues boss Frank Lampard is desperate to bolster his midfield at the end of the season.

And Rice has emerged as Lampard's top target ahead of the summer transfer window.

Rice is close fiends with Stamford Bridge star Mason Mount, which could hand Chelsea an advantage in the race to sign the West Ham ace.

However, the England midfielder will not come cheap.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard ready to beat Man Utd to summer transfer in Ed Woodward blow
Chelsea news: Frank Lampard is keen to spend (Image: GETTY)

Rice has four years remaining on his current West Ham contract, meaning the Hammers can command a mammoth fee.

Chelsea are ready for a busy summer transfer window, with the Blues also linked with Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

A lot has been made of the Blues' interest in the England ace, with Stamford Bridge hero John Terry revealing he'd love Sancho to head to west London.

"I think the young lads have shown their potential," Aston Villa coach Terry said.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard ready to beat Man Utd to summer transfer in Ed Woodward blow
Chelsea news: Frank Lampard wants Declan Rice (Image: GETTY)

"We spoke at the start of the season about the likes of Tammy and Mason coming into the squad and they've shown that they're capable of playing.

"I think Sancho is one of the best young players in the world at the moment, so he'd be a great addition to Chelsea's squad.

"It would make us better as well, but the ones that have come through, the Billy Gilmours, Tammy [Abraham], Mason [Mount], Reece [James], it's endless isnt it? There have been so many positives this season.

"So I think every Chelsea fan, since I came through the ranks, that's all Chelsea fans wanted to see: the youth team players and the younger generation coming through and making their first team debuts. We've seen that in abundance this year."