Chelsea ‘have Declan Rice transfer in sights’ after Edouard Mendy ‘bid accepted’

Chelsea have reportedly had a bid accepted for Edouard Mendy, with the Rennes goalkeeper set to travel to London for a medical.

And Frank Lampard could to turn his attention to West Ham midfielder Declan Rice next week once Mendy’s signature is secured.

Mendy is expected to join Chelsea in a deal worth around £18m as manager Lampard looks to bring in competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was dropped at key times last season.

He will join Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr in signing for Chelsea, with Lampard looking to turn his side into Premier League title contenders as he prepares for Monday’s season-opener against Brighton.

Rice has long been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge, having been on Chelsea’s books as a youngster.

And once a deal for Mendy is done and dusted, the West Ham midfielder could become the club’s next big-money signing, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The journalist claims that Chelsea are unwilling to meet the Hammers’ £74m valuation of Rice and will look to haggle down the price tag.

He tweeted: “Edouard Mendy will be in London on next few hours – the deal is 100% done. Chelsea will consider a move for Declan Rice on following days but won’t pay €80m. West Ham insist they don’t want to sell Rice.”

Earlier, he had tweeted that Chelsea’s bid for Mendy had been accepted by Rennes, with personal terms having been agreed “days ago”.

The Sun reported last month that Chelsea were willing to wait for a discount on Rice, believing their London rivals urgently need to sell before they can press ahead with recruitment plans.

The same strategy worked when Chelsea played the long game for Chilwell, who was initially worth an extra £20million to Leicester City.