Mauricio Pochettino arrival at Chelsea to retain Declan Rice interest

• Chelsea has been a long-term admirer of West Ham midfielder and Chelsea former academy player Declan Rice
• Rice has however attracted other suitors in the Premier League including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United
• The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge is not expected to stop the bidding of Declan Rice

Chelsea pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice continues, as incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino has expressed a keen interest in working with the 24-year-old player.

Pochettino is set to finalize his contract at Stamford Bridge soon and has already had extensive discussions about his plans for the upcoming summer transfer window. Among his priorities is securing a new contract for midfielder Mason Mount. During these talks, Pochettino was informed about Chelsea’s longstanding interest in Rice, and sources have confirmed that the Argentine manager is eager to attract Rice to West London.

Chelsea is actively seeking to sign a new midfielder this summer. While they are also pushing for a contract extension with N’Golo Kante, there are uncertainties surrounding the futures of Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Conor Gallagher. Strengthening the midfield is a crucial aspect of Pochettino’s vision for the club.

West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has been a long-term target of Chelsea and the arrival of new manager Mauricio Pochettino will not halt Rice’s hunt. | PHOTO: Telegraph |

West Ham is open to parting ways with Rice, but they recognize his value in the Premier League. Therefore, they would demand a transfer fee of at least £100m for the midfielder. Despite having two years remaining on his contract, even if he stays at the London Stadium for another 12 months, Rice’s exceptional abilities would command a significant fee.

READ: Declan Rice biography, career and net worth

The competition to acquire Rice’s services this summer is intense, as many top Premier League clubs see an opportunity to entice the English international.

Arsenal has emerged as a prominent contender, and Rice has shown interest in a potential move to the Emirates. However, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle are also expressing interest in securing his signature.

In addition to Rice, Chelsea has compiled an extensive list of midfield targets and has displayed admiration for players such as Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone, among others.

Pochettino, the incoming manager, is also keen on strengthening Chelsea’s goalkeeping and striking positions. The club has been scouting for suitable candidates in both areas well before Graham Potter’s departure from his managerial role earlier this year.