The Blues have splashed the cash over the course of the ongoing transfer window and are aiming to offload fringe players before the deadline.
A host of players could exit, many likely on loan, with Kepa, Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri, Danny Drinkwater, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Victor Moses, Malang Sarr, Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek possible departures.
They want to bring in a defensive midfielder, however are likely to miss out on their top target in the shape of West Ham’s Rice.
Chelsea are firm admirers of Rice, but West Ham are poised to keep hold of him beyond the passage of the deadline this evening.
It remains to be seen who Chelsea might bring in through the door to add an extra defensive midfield body.
Or whether the Blues might hold fire and try again for Rice in the January transfer window.
The January transfer window is just 12 weeks away and Chelsea could try to sign Rice then.
