AC Milan have halted their pursuit of Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with the club’s management unconvinced about investing in the midfielder because of his age.
That’s according to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, who insists the club have turned their attention to finalising the transfer of free agent Daichi Kamada.
Loftus-Cheek is widely expected to leave Chelsea this summer, and Milan were close to wrapping up a transfer for the Englishman, having agreed a fee of around €15 million.
However, Milan have sacked technical director Paolo Maldini and sporting director Frederic Massara, who had negotiated the deal.
The dramatic turn of events will come as a blow to both Chelsea and Loftus-Cheek, with both parties now forced to look for solutions elsewhere.
The 27-year-old is poised to end his 11-year association with the Blues this summer, having graduated through the youth ranks in west London.
He had already received an emotional farewell from the Chelsea supporters during the final Premier League fixture against Newcastle United, having been a faithful servant of the club over the years.
Chelsea must balance their books after spending heavily over the last two transfer windows, and Loftus-Cheek is one of several high-profile names heading for the exit.
He had his heart set on a move to Milan as they can offer him Champions League football after finishing fourth in Serie A, but will now have to wait for proposals from other clubs.
Milan are pressing on with plans to land Kamada on a free transfer after holding further talks with the player’s representatives through an intermediary.
Kamada’s contract with Eintracht Frankfurt expires at the end of this month, and the Japan international is poised to leave Deutsche Bank Park this summer.
Milan are in pole position to land his signature after fending off interest from several European clubs, and only the final details are missing before they can confirm the deal.
