Chelsea are considering cashing in on Jorginho in order to fund a move for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer.
After progressing through the Blues academy, Rice was released by Chelsea as a teenager, but has been heavily linked with a return to the club as Frank Lampard attempts to strengthen his defensive options ahead of his second season in charge.
Despite being shackled with a transfer ban before his debut campaign in the dugout, Lampard guided Chelsea to a Champions League spot.
However, Chelsea’s season was plagued by defensive frailties, conceding 54 Premier League goals – the same amount as 15th place Brighton – and defensive midfielder Rice is being targeted as a potential centre half to fix their troubles at the back.
According to the Telegraph, Rice is keen on a return to Stamford Bridge – but enjoys a good relationship with West Ham and does not wish to sour this by forcing through a move.
It will therefore require a substantial bid from Chelsea to secure his services, with West Ham seeking at least £65m for the England international.
In order to raise funds, Chelsea will consider selling Jorginho. The midfielder had been linked with a move to Juventus, which would have seen him reunite with Maurizio Sarri for the third time in his career.
However, Sarri has since been relieved of his duties at Juventus, throwing a spanner in the works of any potential deal. Prior to Sarri’s sacking, Jorginho’s agent Joao Santos refused to play down talk of his client moving to Juventus, suggesting the midfielder would be open to departing Stamford Bridge.
“Everyone knows there is a very strong rapport between Sarri and Jorginho after five years working together, I’d be a hypocrite to deny that,” Santos said. “But I also want to remind you that Jorginho has three years left on his Chelsea contract.”