Conflicting reports on new Chelsea bid for Declan Rice

The new Premier League season is under way, but the transfer window is open for another four weeks. And that gives Chelsea plenty of time to figure out whether to make a move for Declan Rice, and certainly plenty of time for the rumor mill to spin things one way or another and then back around.

We already played this game last month, when quickly-debunked reports claimed that Chelsea had made a £50m bid for the former Chelsea prospect. Those same sources now claim that a bid of £50m plus add-ons has been lodged — still well below West Ham’s asking price, but an indication that Chelsea are indeed still trying.

Considering that this source and report proved untrue the first time, it’s tough to believe it this time, especially with other well known sources claiming the exact opposite — with West Ham also denying things all along as well (though they’re certainly expected to deny, deny, deny regardless of reality).

That said, Chelsea are not out of the picture. We are expected to try to tempt Declan into coming home yet, with the Telegraph’s Matt Law claiming that we “will soon” turn our “attentions” to the 21-year-old defensive midfielder.

I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.