West Ham may be bracing themselves for a bid from Chelsea for Declan Rice in the coming week.

Chelsea’s defensive performance at West Brom yesterday (Sat) when they went three down at half time demonstrated that Frank Lampard has some real problems at the back and has  raised claims  that a bid may come for Rice as a result.

The Hammers hierarchy have always insisted their prized asset is not for sale but that may not stop Lampard trying to test the West Ham’s board resolve.

The club say they have not received any bids or enquiries so far and that they would not be welcomed.

Some reports today suggest Chelsea will start their first bid at £40m based on the financial crisis engulfing the Irons but that would be quickly rejected.

The sale of Grady Diangana may encourage the Blues into believing they can succeed with Rice but that may well prove false with the hammers powers that be not wanting to risk even more open warfare with the fans.

Chelsea have spent £230m so far in this transfer window and it remains to be seen whether they would be prepared to take their spending over £300m without offloading a few of their players outbound first.

One Chelsea source told ClaretandHugh that Lampard would definitely need to sell a player before attempting to  buy at what could be as high a price as £80 million

David Moyes has yet to spent the £26m raise by selling Diangana, Hugill and Ajeti with David Sullivan hinting that a £40m budget is available to the manager.

And that begs the question that if we can’t spend £40m what would we do with £125m if it was available with just days remaining in the transfer window.