Todd Boehly enforced strict Chelsea transfer rule that prevented Declan Rice signing before Arsenal transfer

Todd Boehly enforced a strict transfer rule at Chelsea that prevented the club from signing Declan Rice.

After a difficult start to the campaign, Chelsea welcome Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, fresh from having won their last three games in all competitions.

The Gunners will prove a tough test however, with Mikel Arteta’s side unbeaten so far this campaign and level on points with league leaders and north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal, who edged past likely title challengers Manchester City in their last encounter, are looking to win their first Premier League title in two decades this season.

And if they are to get over the line this term Rice will be key. The England international has excelled since signing this summer from West Ham for a fee that could rise to £105million.

But had things been different, Rice could have been lining up for Chelsea this weekend.

At various stages under the management of Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, it appeared inevitable that Chelsea would look to sign Rice, a player who had been discarded from the Blues academy as a teenager.

However, Rice was never an option for Chelsea this summer. According to The Telegraph, despite the Blues’ willingness to pay over and above to secure Europe’s best young players, Chelsea’s hierarchy believed clubs were being asked to pay an ‘English premium’ for Rice.

In turn, Chelsea were not interested in a deal.

Manchester City, ultimately, were the only team to seriously rival Arsenal for Rice’s services during the close season, only to back out after seeing their opening offer immediately rejected by West Ham.

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