Chelsea Target Declan Rice Reveals Ambitions, Set to Leave West Ham

Chelsea Target Declan Rice Reveals Ambitions, Set to Leave West Ham

Elijah Odetokun
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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  • West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has put clubs on high alert after outlining his ambition to seek a transfer to a top club
  • Rice, who is one of England's best midfielders, says he wants to play in the Champions League and is open to a move
  • Chelsea and Manchester United are two of the clubs interested in his signature and will prepare to reach out to his team

West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice has sent a clear message to clubs interested in him that he is ready to move in the summer.

Rice, who has been a subject of transfer speculation linking him to top clubs in England, spoke about his desire to play in the UEFA Champions League.

Declan Rice, West Ham, England, Chelsea
Declan Rice has expressed his desire to leave West Ham and play in the Champions League. Photo by Marc Atkins.
Source: Getty Images

Reports across the English media suggest West Ham are beginning to have the realisation that the 23-year-old won't continue at the club beyond this season and will listen to offers.

Chelsea are one of the clubs interested in Rice, a player they released from their academy at age 14. They have made unsuccessful attempts to re-sign him in the past under Frank Lampard, as reported by Goal.

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Rice outlines trophies ambitions

Rice is yet to win a senior trophy in his career and this has fuelled his desire to leave West Ham for a top club.

He is currently on international duty with England at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he made his goals known in an interview quoted by Metro:

“I’ve been playing consistently well for the club and I want to keep pushing. Like you said, I see my friends here who are playing Champions League football, winning the trophies. You only get one career, and at the end of your career you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in."

Rice added that he was particularly ambitious and wanted to be among the trophy winners.

West Ham are reportedly willing to grant Rice his leave, as long as any club matches their valuation of £70m, according to Football Transfers.

Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Chelsea, West Ham, England
Declan Rice and his best friend Mason Mount during a match between West Ham and Chelsea. Photo by Sebastien Frej.
Source: Getty Images

Rice warns England opponents

Sports Brief earlier reported that Rice cautioned England's rivals at the World Cup, telling the other nations to be fearful of his country's quality.

The Three Lions reached the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and lost the final of the Euro 2020 to Italy on penalties. They would want to go one step further this time.

The home of football, as they are famously referred to, have not won a major trophy since the 1966 World Cup and now is the time to prove their quality on the global stage.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.
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