Chelsea definitely want to sign Declan Rice

Chelsea will compete with Arsenal to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice during the next transfer window, journalist Ben Jacobs claims.

The Blues have spent massive sums of money since their takeover last year. This month alone, they have signed as many as seven players.

They are still looking for a midfielder before Tuesday's deadline but the club could be active in the summer as well, according to Jacobs.

Rice has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the past few weeks and the Blues have now been backed to make an approach.

While they may not qualify for the Champions League, Jacobs believes the club will nonetheless make their move for the England international.

He said: "Chelsea are definitely still going to be involved in, but the decision will all be down to Declan Rice. I think a lot will depend on what happens between now and the end of the season, with Arsenal with Chelsea, what other clubs come in."

Rice has less than 18 months left on his current Hammers deal, but the east London outfit have the option to keep him for another 12 months.

He has already declined three contract proposals from the Hammers and is widely expected to head for the exit door at the end of the season.

The Hammers previously valued him in the region of £120m, but they are likely to accept a reduced fee of around £70-80m this summer.