West Ham insist they can sign Chelsea star and still keep Declan Rice

Latest reports in England claim that West Ham believe they can get Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan AND keep Declan Rice.

Rumours have long linked Rice with Chelsea, and in recent days the transfer mill has suggested RLC to West Ham is brewing.

A permanent swoop for Rice has seen some say RLC would have to go the other way on loan, but the Mirror reports that the Hammers believe they can have both players.

David Moyes is keen on signing another midfielder but does not believe Rice has to depart in the process.

Sources say the ex-Everton boss also believes he can capture Loftus-Cheek without having to sacrifice his own midfielder.

Revealed: How much Chelsea stand lose as clubs reject Kepa

Chelsea face wasting £5million to pay for Kepa to sit on the bench – because they cannot find anyone who wants to sign their flop keeper.

With an asking price approaching £60m, there have been no buyers found for the 25-year-old and now the Blues have had to start looking to find a club willing to take him on loan.

But with European football hit badly by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are not even any sides willing and able to agree a loan deal which would mean they have to meet his £150,000-a-week wages.

And it is growing increasingly like the London club will be stuck with Kepa on their wage bill for the remainder of the season – handing them a bill of £5m just to be a back-up keeper.

Ross Barkley reveals why he joined Aston Villa on loan

Ross Barkley admits he’s left Chelsea for Aston Villa to secure his place in England’s Euro 2021 squad.

Barkley was Dean Smith’s preferred loan choice and jumped at the chance to sign him, according to one journalist.

The midfielder’s move to Aston Villa saw him become Chelsea’s 20th player to leave on loan this summer.

There is no option to buy at the end of Barkley’s surprising loan move to Villa, so Chelsea will be obliged to keep him.

The Athletic report that it was the offer of regular game time that convinced Barkley to move, but he will face stiff competition in midfield with Jack Grealish and John McGinn impressing.

The England international stated that: “The last couple of years I’ve been stop-start, performing well and then being out of the team.

“To come here and have the chance to play regularly is a big thing for me.

“The Euros at the end of season is a big target, hopefully I can be there.

“Dean Smith swayed me with the way he spoke to me, it looks like it’s going to be an exciting season.”

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