Chelsea misfit Ruben Loftus-Cheek is increasingly heading toward a Stamford Bridge exit, with AC Milan in talks to take him to Serie A.
As reported by football.london, the Italians have ‘made progress’ in negotiations to convince the 27-year-old to leave London for Lombardy.
Following a woeful season under four different managers, Chelsea will undergo massive changes in the summer under incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino.
One of the Argentine’s first assignments on the new job will be to trim down the oversized Blues squad and make room for new signings as Todd Boehly plans to splash more cash at the end of the season.
Numerous bit-part players are expected to bid farewell to the Bridge over the next few months, with Loftus-Cheek among the first names on the chopping block.
With just over a year left to run on his current contract at Chelsea, the versatile midfielder seems destined for a summer departure after failing to convince the club to offer him fresh terms.
After a decent season-long loan at Fulham in 2021/22 the Englishman returned to Chelsea, but stiff competition for places has prevented him from becoming a first-team regular.
He has made 22 Premier League appearances this season, including 17 starts, but he has mostly played out of position, covering injury-prone Reece James as a right wing-back.
Despite deeming Loftus-Cheek surplus to requirements, Chelsea are still reluctant to lose him on a free transfer in 13 months and will look to sell him this summer.
Milan, who are desperate for reinforcements following a nightmarish defending campaign in Serie A, are ready to offer the midfielder an escape route from the Bridge.
But they are not the only Italian side keen on landing Loftus-Cheek, with Lazio reportedly identifying him as a perfect replacement for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who could leave Rome in the coming months.
In addition to the Chelsea outcast, the Rossoneri could soon add another free agent to their ranks as they’ve agreed personal terms with outgoing Eintracht Frankfurt ace Daichi Kamada.
