West Ham may have to sell midfielder Declan Rice in order to fund moves for summer signings, according to insider ExWHUemployee.

Chelsea are very much still interested in signing the England international, despite their spending spree, and with the Hammers having been unable to sell anyone else, the prospect of offloading their star man is looking increasingly likely:

Truth. Chelsea are still keen on Rice and always have been but we don’t want to sell. However we haven’t been able to sell anyone else this window (for a substantial fee). I am very concerned we could lose him this window. https://t.co/5qPK3KBwTU

— ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) August 29, 2020

Reports this morning suggest West Ham will not reduce their £80m valuation for Rice at the moment, but Chelsea are hopeful the Irons will lower their demands in the same way Leicester did for Ben Chilwell.

One saving grace for Hammers supporters, though, is the fact that the Blues do need to sell players before making an official offer for Rice and if they are unable to do so, the chances of the midfielder staying at the London Stadium will increase significantly.

There are still five weeks before the transfer window shuts so there is likely to be more developments in this transfer saga before deadline day.