Chelsea will revive their attempts to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice in the January transfer window, according to The Athletic.

The Blues were looking to sign the Hammers’ vice-captain before the market closed in October but were unable to free up space in the first-team squad.

Two players were needed to be sold in order to finance an offer for Rice but the deals did not materialise before deadline day last month. However, it is believed that Chelsea will look to reignite their bid for the England international in the New Year.

The Irons have been trying to tie down Rice to a new contract which would keep him at the London Stadium until 2025 and Chelsea are hoping he doesn’t put pen to paper on a new deal before they can make an offer for him.

Some reports have suggested that the Blues may bid as much as £60m for the 21-year-old, but that is likely to be well short of West Ham’s valuation of the player.