AC Milan are reportedly closing in on an agreement for 27-year-old Chelsea utility man Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
According to Calciomercato, Serie A giants AC Milan are close to reaching an agreement for Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of the 2023 summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old came through the youth ranks at Cobham before establishing himself in the Bluies’ senior roster. However, following the influx of new players over the last couple of transfer windows, Loftus-Cheek has fallen down the pecking order.
With Mauricio Pochettino set to take over on July 1, Chelsea are set for a new course under the Argentine’s leadership. First, he will have to trim down what is a bloated squad, and Loftus-Cheek could be among those shown the door.
Primarily a central midfielder, the Englishman can also do a job as a defensive midfielder while also impressing out wide on the right. This versatility makes him a utility man who can be used to plug gaps on the field as and when required. Having such options certainly makes life easier for the manager.
His current deal at Stamford Bridge runs until 2024, meaning it is now or never for Chelsea to secure a decent transfer fee. With AC Milan very interested, it could be just a matter of time. All parties involved are eager to close the deal. And Milan are currently in the driving seat to sign their man.
Since the departure of Franck Kessie to Barcelona last summer, AC Milan have lacked a dynamic presence in the middle of the park. While Loftus-Cheek is not at the same level as Kessie, he remains a reliable player who can drop consistent performances week in, week out.
At 27, the Chelsea utility man is in his prime and should be playing on a regular basis. It is unfortunately a proposition that will find few takers at the Bridge. Serie A has served as the saviour for several English players in recent times. And Loftus-Cheek could be the latest name on that list.
The Rossoneri are also closing in on a summer deal for Daichi Kamada. Landing the Japanese star for free in addition to Loftus-Cheek is a good start to the summer for the former Italian champions. They actively need to rejuvenate the squad this summer. And it could prove to be a busy summer at San Siro.