Ruben Loftus-Cheek linked with shock move away from Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is reportedly linked with a shock move away from Chelsea this summer with at least one major European club believed to be interested in acquiring his services.

Loftus-Cheek, a graduate of the Blues academy, has featured in just four games since the turn of the year, including Chelsea’s much-needed 1-0 victory over Leeds United on Saturday.

At present, Graham Potter’s underperforming side sit in tenth spot in the Premier League table despite extensive spending both last summer and in the January transfer market under new owner Todd Boehly.

With so many new faces in the door at Stamford Bridge this term, questions have been raised over the futures of long-serving players like Loftus-Cheek.

The 27-year-old’s current contract runs out next summer and the new ownership have indicated players will not be allowed to run down their deals to leave on a free transfer, as was the case with defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen who joined Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

And, according to outlet CalcioMercato, Italian giants AC Milan are believed to be interested in bringing Loftus-Cheek to the San Siro.

The defending Serie A champions, who in 2021 signed fellow Chelsea academy graduate Fikayo Tomori for £25m, are reportedly seeking to bolster their squad following a poor title defence this campaign.

Milan find themselves in fourth place in the Italian top flight, 18 points behind runaway leaders Napoli.

The Rossoneri are thought to value Loftus-Cheek in the region of £22m and the Italian publication claims that fee has been discussed between the clubs since the first contact regarding the midfielder which supposedly took place following their Champions League group stage encounters earlier this season.

Despite a career blotted by recurring injuries, Loftus-Cheek has amassed close to 100 appearances for Chelsea and over 150 including loan moves to Crystal Palace and Fulham. He has ten England caps to his name.

Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Mason Mount is rumoured to also be on his way out of Chelsea in the next transfer window.

The England international has reportedly rejected at least two new contract offers, allegedly because the club has failed to meet the player’s wage demands.

Talks, however, have reportedly been put on hold until the summer.