Chelsea want amazing West Ham target Moises Caicedo as a Declan Rice alternative and have a clear edge on the Hammers.
In a normal situation West Ham fans would welcome news that Chelsea have turned their attentions elsewhere in the hunt for a new central midfielder.
West Ham have had to endure speculation that Rice could return to his boyhood club for over two years now.
Speaking to Hammers News in the summer, West Ham majority stakeholder David Sullivan spoke out to deny reports of talks with Chelsea owner Todd Boehley over a deal for Rice.
Chelsea discarded Rice as a 14-year-old and he has gone on to become one of the best midfielders in world football at West Ham.
The Hammers have had to suffer seeing some of their best academy products enjoy success with the Blues over the years. From John Terry and Frank Lampard to Joe Cole and Glenn Johnson.
So the prospect of seeing Rice moving to their west London rivals does not sit well with many West Ham supporters.
There is an understanding Rice will be allowed to leave West Ham in the summer meaning continued links with Chelsea are inevitable.
As a result West Ham will need a new top class defensive midfielder and have been heavily linked with – amongst several others – Brighton’s Moises Caicedo (The Daily Mail).
But now Chelsea want amazing West Ham target Caicedo as a Rice alternative and have a clear edge.
Liverpool had looked to be frontrunners for the Ecuadorian star. But big-spending Chelsea are now allegedly in the box seat with the Reds ‘expecting’ the Moyes target to sign for the Blues (ThisIsAnfield, The Mirror, Sky Sports).
Any hopes West Ham might have of landing Caicedo now look like a long shot.
Because while his position at Chelsea may be precarious, the fact Graham Potter was the man who brought Caicedo to Brighton gives the Stamford Bridge outfit an obvious advantage.
Affording Caicedo’s price tag would not necessarily be an issue for West Ham as they know they will be getting at least £80m for Rice when he does leave.
It is unlikely Chelsea will have any European – let alone Champions League – football next season to lure Caicedo to west London.
So having Potter at the helm could be the ace card which defeats West Ham’s hand.
If Caicedo joins Chelsea instead of Rice, though, then perhaps it will be worth West Ham missing out on this particular deal.
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