Chelsea confident of signing 21-year-old Premier League star

Chelsea are confident of securing the services of Declan Rice from West Ham United before the transfer deadline on October 5.

The Blues have made seven high-profile signings this summer with their latest being Edouard Mendy, who joined them from Rennes.

Manager Frank Lampard is understood to be eyeing one more recruit before the deadline and it is widely known that Rice is the prime target.

According to The Sun, the Blues are confident that they can reach an agreement with the Hammers, who are cash-strapped at the moment.

The east London side have made no signings this summer and they are desperate to add fresh faces to the squad in the next few days.

For this, they are in need of additional transfer funds and the Blues believe they can prise away Rice for a fee in excess of £40m.

Rice, 21, is reported to have already agreed personal terms over a five-year contract and is waiting for the clubs to finalise a suitable fee.