The departure of Chelsea managing director Marina Granovskaia may have ended the Blues’ interest in West Ham captain Declan Rice, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The reporter claims Granovskaia and Frank Lampard were the two main proponents of recruiting the England international but the two are no longer at Stamford Bridge:

“Declan Rice is an interesting one because Marina Granovskaia was one of the people who wanted him quite badly when she was still around. Also, Frank Lampard was a huge fan of his. Neither of those two are at Chelsea any longer, so it remains to be seen how interested Chelsea are still in Declan Rice.”

If it turns out that Chelsea have cooled their interest in Rice, it would be a huge boost for supporters, who are desperate to keep their talisman at the club.

Concerns do still remain about the midfielder’s long-term future. The Hammers have had multiple contract offers turned down by the player, which suggests a potential departure next summer can’t be ruled out.

Even though Rice will, effectively, have two years left on his current deal at the end of the season, the likelihood of a club matching the midfielder’s £150m asking price will begin to diminish if an extension is not signed.