RICE COOL
Chelsea have cooled their interest in Declan Rice following the sacking of Frank Lampard. It looked for a long time like the West Ham midfielder’s move to Stamford Bridge was inevitable, but it appears the bosses never really fancied him.
With the Blues out of the running, Rice has reportedly moved up the transfer lists of both Liverpool and Manchester United.
The versatility of the 22-year-old means he can be deployed as a centre-back – reportedly where Lampard wanted to play him – or in his more customary defensive midfield role, and he has performed admirably in both positions for the high flying Hammers this season.
With defensive issues at both Liverpool and United, Rice is said to be seen as a viable option for both clubs according to transfer expert Ian McGarry.
He told the Transfer Window Podcast: “He is no longer on the transfer list of recruitment possibilities for the Stamford Bridge club, but he has certainly roused the interest of Liverpool and Manchester United.
“Both of whom have expressed interest to Rice’s agent as we understand and they have asked to be kept informed of any offers made for the England international.”
Big Weekend: Liverpool v Everton, Lingard, Arteta, Saints, Milan derby
JAMES HOMESICK
James Rodriguez is apparently not a fan of perpetual rain and little to no sunlight for a three month period. The sh*tty weather is one of three reasons the Colombian is looking for the Goodison Park exit.
The playmaker has proved a big success in his first season on Merseyside, scoring five goals and contributing seven assists in 20 appearances for the club.
James is contracted until June 2022, with the option of an addition 12 months, but Defensa Central claims he is already considering his future.
As well as the weather being grim, he is also concerned by the number of injuries he’s picking up due to the physicality of the league and allegedly misses Madrid, which may or may not be linked to his first gripe.
The report claims he has not ruled out the possibility of joining La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid in the upcoming transfer window; whether they want him or not appears to be beside the point.
TUCHEL TARGETS SULE
Thomas Tuchel is very keen to add a centre-back to his ranks, presumably in the hope that one day he won’t have to play three of them to stop other teams scoring.
Chelsea have been linked with David Alaba in recent weeks, whose future is still up in the air, as well as Doyot Upamecano, who has reportedly agreed to join Bayern from RB Leipzig.
Upamecano’s imminent arrival at the Allianz Arena could open the door for Tuchel to land top target Niklas Sule from the German giants.
German newspaper Abendzeitung claims the Chelsea boss has already held talks with Marina Granovskaia about completing a deal for Sule, whose current contract runs until the summer of 2022.
The post Gossip: Man Utd, Liverpool ‘Rice contact’; Rodriguez homesick appeared first on Football 365.