"Favorites." Chelsea prepared to spend £120M on phenomenal player as Kanté replacement this summer—Reports.

 The Blues are ready to make the £120M player N'Golo Kanté's replacement.

Chelsea have now been tipped to pay West Ham’s £120m asking price for Declan Rice this summer.

It was Graeme Bailey who made the claim as Loaded Mag NUFC sat down for a chat about transfers with the journalist on YouTube.

So, what was said about Chelsea and Declan Rice? Let’s take a look…

What’s the story?

Well, it was said that Chelsea are likely to pay West Ham’s asking price for the England international this summer, and the Blues may be the only side to do so with Arsenal and Manchester United also keen.

Bailey said: “With Declan Rice, I think Chelsea would pay (West Ham’s asking price). I think they probably will and that’s where they may win out. They may be the last man standing.”

According to Sky Sports reporter Anton Toloui, the Hammers value their No.41 at £120m this summer, and Bayern Munich are also among the favourites to sign him.

Rice – who has been called “phenomenal” by Mark Noble – is set to leave West Ham after David Sullivan revealed that he will give the midfielder permission to depart, as he hopes to do.

The 74-year-old told talkSPORT: “I think it has to be (Rice’s last game). We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.

“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements. It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.

“It’s cost him £10m to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). He wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”

Paying West Ham’s asking price is one thing, but Chelsea must still convince Rice to join.

According to the Daily Mail, that might be difficult.

It is said that Rice has made it clear to those interested in his signature that he wants to play Champions League football next season, which Chelsea cannot provide.

Therefore, the 24-year-old may ignore the Blues in preference of Arsenal, Manchester United or Bayern Munich.