West Ham captain Declan Rice would be “willing” to move out of London if he chooses to leave the Hammers at the end of the season, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Liverpool are the latest team to be linked with the 23-year-old and, while Jones still feels that Chelsea are the player’s preferred destination, a move to the North West isn’t off the table:

“You can’t rule out a transfer like that [to Liverpool]. Chelsea still makes the most sense in many ways for Declan Rice, but he is willing to move north. I’ve been told that before, so I don’t think that’s going to be a problem in terms that he would only want to stay in London.”

To be honest with you, there isn’t any real reason why Rice would press for a move to Liverpool at the moment. The Reds are in a transition period and they may not be in the Champions League next season.

Considering Rice has openly admitted that playing in Europe’s top competition is one of his main aims, it could mean Jurgen Klopp’s side are not a candidate.

When it comes to Chelsea, their interest is nothing new, but any team wanting to snap up the midfielder will know they will have to break their own transfer record to get him.