Director of Chelsea Marina Granovskaia is determined to land Declan Rice to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window as a show of support to coach Frank Lampard.
Rice enjoyed a seven-year stint for the Blues in their youth academy set-up between the ages of seven and 14.
After leaving Stamford Bridge, he joined Premier League side, West Ham.
Former Chelsea legend Lampard is a huge fan of the Englishman and he remains his primary target once the transfer window business opens.
21-year-old Rice is an established midfielder both at the club, and international level, having already made 13 appearances for England national team.
The versatile player has over 100 appearances for the Hammers and has occasionally captained West Ham under coach David Moyes despite his tender age.
The £80 million rated defensive midfielder could be a massive addition to Lampard who has assembled a £200 million squad.
Chelsea chief Granovskaia has been instrumental in Chelsea’s transfer business including the selling of Belgium international Eden Hazard to Real Madrid in 2019.
She was also fundamentally involved in the securing of Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner as Lampard looks to build a youthful world-class squad.
The Blues could spend £100 million on Hammers ace Rice and Granovskaia is willing and ready to support Lampard’s dream at all cost.
Ian McGarry, speaking on Reach PLC’s Transfer Window Podcast, said, “It’s our information that he (Lampard) has the full confidence of Chelsea’s main director and de facto chief executive Marina Granosvkaia with regards to his tenure as manager of the club.
“That will be backed in January. First of all by offering Olivier Giroud, who is someone Lampard recognises and rates very highly as a key member of his squad, a new contract.
“Of course the club policy is not to offer any player over 30 more than a year. Giroud has six months left on his contract but negotiations will begin with his agent with regards to a one-year extension.”
He went on to add, “Not only that, as we have reported consistently, Declan Rice the West Ham defensive midfielder who Lampard covets very much with his regard to his ability to play in a back three and just ahead of defence in terms of playing as a disruptor as he does for West Ham, that chase will be upped in this window upcoming.”
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