I still don't think we will sign Rice for a huge fee when we already evaluated him as "not good enough" (albeit that has now changed) and released him for nothing.
It's just not the way we operate.
Kessie is available free at end of season, plays DM, and offers goal threat as well, and at mid 20s is at or nearing his peak.
Tchouameni is the future of the France midfield, is already in their side, is young, powerful, technical and would cost about half of what Rice would cost, and could be sold in 5 years to someone like Real Madrid for a good profit, if necessary.