Chelsea and Arsenal target expected to leave current club this summer

Chelsea’s battle to secure a place in next season’s Champions League got a lot more difficult on Friday as the draw for this season’s quarter-finals was made.

The Blues will face reigning European champions Real Madrid for the third consecutive season, with the winners then going on to face either Bayern Munich or Manchester City in the semis.

With 11 points and five teams currently between them and the top four in the Premier League, it looks likely that Chelsea will have to navigate this tricky draw if they are going to compete in Europe’s top club competition next term.

Regardless of how successful this season proves to be, The Blues look likely to once again strengthen this summer, despite new owner Todd Boehly having spent more than £500 million on 16 new signings since taking charge of the club last summer.

Despite that, it has been widely reported that the west London side will still be in the hunt for a midfielder this summer, and one of their prime targets is reportedly set to be on the move.

As per Fabrizio Romano, West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is expected to leave his current side this summer.

Rice looks increasingly likely to depart West Ham this summer

The Englishman has been heavily linked with a move away from The London Stadium over the past two years, but it appears that he may finally be set to leave The Hammers.

Rice, 24, has established himself not only as a regular for West Ham but also as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders in recent seasons.

The ex-Chelsea youth player is also now a regular for England on the international stage, and captains The Hammers following Mark Noble’s departure last summer.

The midfielder’s current contract with West Ham is set to run until the summer of 2024, which could suggest that this summer represents The Hammers’ last chance to sell him for a significant fee, with his price tag likely to fall as he nears the expiry of his deal.

In total, Rice has made 229 appearances for West Ham, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists.

The England international has also been heavily linked with Arsenal, and Romano claims that both The Blues and The Gunners have discussed the possibility of signing Rice internally.