Transfer Centre

Chelsea to offer Armando Broja, Ross Barkley in exchange for Declan Rice?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 25 June 2022

Chelsea to offer Broja, Barkley in exchange for Rice?

Chelsea will reportedly consider offering Armando Broja and Ross Barkley in part exchange to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer.

Chelsea will reportedly consider offering Armando Broja and Ross Barkley as part of a deal to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer.

The Blues have been persistently linked with the 23-year-old England international for some time, but the Hammers are keen to keep hold of their £150m-rated captain.

A report from 90min claims that Chelsea have recently seen a fresh approach for Rice turned down by West Ham, which involved Blues representatives holding talks with Hammers owner David Sullivan.

Chelsea are unlikely to stump up West Ham's hefty asking price for the midfielder, but the same report adds that the Blues will consider testing their resolve by offering both Broja and Barkley in part exchange.

Broja is believed to be West Ham's primary striker target this summer and they are allegedly preparing to lodge a £30m bid for the 20-year-old, who scored nine goals in 38 appearances on loan at Southampton last season.

Barkley, meanwhile, is seemingly deemed surplus to requirements by Thomas Tuchel after starting only four times in the 2021-22 campaign, and with just a year remaining on his contract, a move away from Stamford Bridge for the 28-year-old seems likely this summer.

Chelsea may face competition from both Manchester United and Manchester City for the signature of Rice, who has two years remaining on his contract and has turned down multiple offers to extend his stay at the London Stadium.