Chelsea have taken on the role of being the Premier League's big spenders.

The Blues spent over £200million this summer as they looked to revolutionise Frank Lampard's squad ahead of the new season.

The target being set by the club's hierarchy is to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester United, and ultimately work their way back into title contention.

Signing players such as Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz is a huge statement of intent, but don't be fooled into thinking that Chelsea are done yet.

One player who they're regularly linked with is Declan Rice.

The West Ham star began his young career in west London before moving to the east end as a teenager.

However it seems that the Blues are determined to take the England midfielder back.

Any deal to sign Rice would need to be of huge financial value, but according to reports West Ham have a plan of their own to keep their star man.

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Transfer expert Ian McGarry was discussing the interest in the 21-year-old and claimed that the Hammers were looking to offer him a significantly improved contract to tempt him to stay.

Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, McGarry said: “Frank Lampard is desperate to have a commanding centre-back.

"He still wants to have a younger, very very commanding player, to organise his defence.

“West Ham, to their credit, have offered Declan Rice and his representatives the chance to come and discuss an upgrade to his current deal.

“His current deal was extended in December 2018 until 2024, but my understanding is that upgrade itself won’t necessarily be an extension because it’s already very long-term, plus there’s a one-year option on both sides to extend it to 2025.

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“What I understand is that they’ll offer him a pay-rise on better terms and with better bonuses in order to keep Chelsea at bay.

“It seems like a positive move on their part to ensure the player is enticed to stay, and of course an upgraded contract means they can ask for more money from Chelsea if they do come knocking again in January.”

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

This is a link that just doesn't seem to be going away.

Valued at £49.5million by Transfermarkt, Declan Rice is a player with the world at his feet.

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Having already made over 100 appearances for West Ham, the England international is a player who is a top Premier League star.

It's only a matter of time before he moves to one of the big guns.

Given his link to Chelsea this is a move that certainly makes sense.

Whether the Blues can fund such a deal remains to be seen, because as we know, West Ham won't let him leave on the cheap.

But ultimately money talks and in this kind of situation it's often the big-spenders that get their way.