West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is reportedly set to make the move across the capital to join Chelsea, but it will not be in January.
The 21-year-old has been tipped to make a return to his former side for months now, but West Ham's £80m valuation of Rice deterred Chelsea from making a bid during their busy summer of spending.
However, speculation surrounding the England international's future has not ceased, with Manchester United also thought to be hopeful of striking a deal for the ever-present Rice.
According to The Athletic, Rice's potential transfer to Chelsea is all but guaranteed to come to fruition, but the Blues are very unlikely to complete a deal for the West Ham man next month.
The report also adds that a move next summer is shrouded in uncertainty as well, with Chelsea unable to fund a move for the highly-rated Englishman unless they can sell first.
Frank Lampard's side are supposedly ready to offload up to seven players in order to raise the necessary funds for Rice and Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland.
Ben Knapton
