According to the Telegraph, former Chelsea boss Graham Potter wanted Chelsea to sign Declan Rice from West Ham during the January transfer but the Blues opted to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica instead.

Potter wasn’t the only former Chelsea boss to ask for the signing of Rice with previous managers Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel also requesting for the signing of the England international.

Meanwhile, according to Caughtoffside, Chelsea are now in direct club-to-club talks over transfer of Lyon star Rayan Cherki.

Cherki has long been on the Blues’ radar, and there were recently initial conversations via intermediaries, though they are now negotiating directly with Lyon.

Lyon are reportedly asking for €50million for the transfer of Cherki though Chelsea feel a deal could be done for closer to €40m.

Cherki, who has a contract with Lyon until 2025, has impressed hugely in Ligue 1 and Milan have also shown an interest in him, though Chelsea are currently ahead in the running.