Chelsea 'to focus on Declan Rice after sealing Edouard Mendy deal'

Chelsea will reportedly turn their attention to signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice once they have wrapped up a deal for Edouard Mendy.

The Blues are thought to be on the brink of completing their eighth signing of a productive summer, having reportedly agreed a five-year contract with Rennes goalkeeper Mendy.

The two clubs are nearing an agreement over a transfer fee and the deal could be done before Chelsea's opening game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night.

However, their spending may not be over after that with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claiming that they will then consider a move for long-term target Rice.

The 21-year-old's hefty asking price has seen any interest fall at the first hurdle so far, but should Chelsea push through a deal for the midfielder then it could take their spending to more than £300m.

Frank Lampard's side have already brought in Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr, Xavier Mbuyamba and Kai Havertz this summer.