Chelsea are set to offer West Ham a swap deal for Declan Rice including Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi, according to reports.
Barkley and Batshuayi have played peripheral roles under Frank Lampard and seem destined to leave Stamford Bridge this summer regardless.
But the Blues will reportedly offer them to their London rivals in a bid to reduce the sizeable cash amount they would be forced to cough up in a regular transfer for Rice.
However, despite having previously tried to sign Belgian striker Batshuayi, 26, the Hammers are not interested in taking him or Barkley in part-exchange for their best player.
Rice scored a screamer in their 3-1 thrashing of Watford at the London Stadium on Friday – all but guaranteeing his side's Premier League safety.
And the talented midfielder has played every minute of every one of the Irons' 36 Premier League games this season, scoring once and providing two assists.
Despite his outstanding performances at holding midfield for West Ham and England, he played centre-back as a youngster and Lampard is considering using him there if he were to sign for the Blues in a bid to shore up his leaky defence.
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Rice recently slotted into the backline during West Ham's 2-0 home defeat to Wolves just after football came back from lockdown but the Hammers missed him sorely in midfield.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
