West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has emerged as a top transfer target for Chelsea as Frank Lampard's side prepare for the potential departure of N'Golo Kante, claims The Sun.
Kante's future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain for the first time since he joined Chelsea in 2016 after a season plagued with injuries.
The 2018 World Cup winner has been indispensable for Chelsea since his arrival from Leicester but for the first time the Blues are now weighing up his future.
Lampard's side have even earmarked West Ham ace Rice as their preferred replacement for Kante should the France international leave at the end of the current campaign.
Chelsea released Rice from their academy in 2014 and the defensive midfielder has since emerged as a fan favourite at West Ham.
However, West Ham are reportedly ready to cash in on Rice as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic so David Moyes has money to spend.
Rice has also admitted he would love to play alongside best friend, and current Chelsea midfielder, Mason Mount at club level having done so for England in September.
Only Tottenham target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (287) has won possession more times than Rice (249) in the Premier League this season.
