If you thought that Chelsea were slowing down in their summer transfer business you'd be sadly mistaken.

If anything, the Blues are just getting started.

Frank Lampard's side look to be capitalising on their fourth place finish last term by using their Champions League qualification to sign some of the worlds' best players.

Plenty of clubs try to do it, but only a few succeed.

Whether it's down to the heaps of cash that Roman Abramovich saved as a result of the transfer ban, or the money that's been raised by recent sales of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata, I don't think supporters really care.

What does matter is that the Blues will be a force to be reckoned with.

Deals have already been completed for the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell.

Kai Havertz is another big-money name that could be coming in, as well as Edouard Mendy of Rennes.

p1eh7rdcql1u7313il4f0vkiqp39.jpg

But one name who is commonly linked is based a little bit closer to home.

Declan Rice is one of the hottest English prospects in the Premier League, and a player that Chelsea know lots about.

Having started his career with the Blues, it was his release as a teenager which made him complete the trip across London to join the Irons.

Only now that he's impressing for David Moyes' side, it's claimed that Chelsea want him back.

Valued at £44.55million by Transfermarkt, Rice would not come cheap with the Blues likely to fork out a fee much higher than that to get anywhere near West Ham's asking price.

p1eh7rg60k1r28pge1ktk9i615cnb.jpg

One man who's been covering the interest closely is Football London's Oliver Harbord who believes that the finances could mean that this is a deal too far for the Blues.

Writing in his Q&A for Football London, Harbord said: "Chelsea have had a real interest in Declan Rice this summer.

"It's something which could be looked at once the Havertz deal is announced.

"However, West Ham would likely price Chelsea out of a deal, and it could be very hard to get over the line."

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

This would be an outstanding signing if Chelsea could pull it off.

Unfortunately it might just be a bridge too far this summer.

p1eh7ri46f1f7sn1rsa04tqe53d.jpg

The Blues have already spent a huge sum of money on different players, and with Havertz and Mendy potentially in the pipeline that number is going to rise significantly.

Declan Rice would not be a cheap signing to make and so that means that it's unlikely to happen.

It sort of feels that this move will happen at some point, but the chances are that Rice will have one more season in East London before moving on.