Chelsea were keen on Thomas Partey before he moved to Arsenal on deadline day in October.
The Telegraph says 5thChelsea were interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Partey as an alternative to Declan Rice.
Frank Lampard spent over £200million in the summer but was unable to land £80m-rated Rice when West Ham refused to budge on their asking price.
Chelsea had identified Partey as a cheaper alternative to Rice, only for Arsenal to trigger his £45m release clause on deadline day from Atletico Madrid.
