AC Milan want Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Chelsea identify Manuel Ugarte as replacement

AC Milan hope to convince Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to join them in the summer, reports the Evening Standard.

However, the England international will have to take a pay cut to leave the Stamford Bridge club.

Loftus-Cheek currently earns £150,000-a-week at Chelsea, which has made it tricky for suitors to land him.

He is entering the last 12 months of his deal, and with Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher also facing uncertain futures, the Blues are already looking for replacements.

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

West Ham United star Declan Rice, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia are also on their radar.

The club need to make major squad changes this summer after an underwhelming campaign.

They lack the requisite quality to challenge for silverware and a place in the Premier League top four.

Chelsea risk breaking Financial Fair Play rules after making several signings since the current owners took over.

Selling the likes of Loftus-Cheek and other homegrown players would be pure profit under the new version of UEFA’s financial sustainability rules.

The 27-year-old has played 28 games across all competitions this term, but the owners would like him to leave given his wages.

He rejected a move away in January but could finally be on his way out this summer.

Ugarte will be a perfect replacement, but Chelsea will face fierce competition for his signature.

Liverpool and Barcelona are also keen on the 22-year-old Uruguayan.