Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea set asking price for wantaway star as Italian giants step up interest ahead of summer switch

Ben Stewart
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek during a training session at Cobham Training Centre, Surrey. Picture date: Monday March 6, 2023.

AC Milan are stepping up their interest in Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Chelsea have now set their asking price for the 27-year-old midfielder.

Chelsea are expected to be busy this summer as several stars could be shown the door. Incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino will be keen on cutting down on the current playing squad.

With more additions to come in the summer, it is important that Chelsea move on the players who don’t have a long-term future at the club.

Loftus-Cheek is likely to be one of the departures this summer. The midfielder has started in 17 league matches this season and has been in and out of the squad all year.

Now 27 years old, he will be keen to nail down a starting spot at his next club. Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that AC Milan have held ‘concrete talks’ with Chelsea.

Milan are keen on rebuilding their midfield and Loftus-Cheek is seen as a player of interest. The 27-year-old will be well aware of the success Fikayo Tomori has had since moving to Italy.

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Chelsea value the midfielder at around €25m (£21.7m). However, Milan are still keen on negotiating this price down.

His contract with Chelsea runs until 2024, with the club holding the option of an extra year. He has made 151 appearances for the club across all competitions.

In a bid to push the move through, the player could even accept a pay cut at Milan. At Chelsea, he is said to be earning around £150,000 per week.

Chelsea have other midfielders in mind

Due to their bloated squad, Chelsea must sell players before they bring more in. In the Premier League alone they have used 32 different players.

With N’Golo Kante not getting any younger either, a new midfielder seems to be high on Chelsea’s transfer list this summer.

Chelsea are one of the clubs said to be interested in Monaco star Youssouf Fofana. The French youngster is attracting plenty of interest after an impressive campaign.

Fofana himself even hinted that he could be open to a move to the Premier League this summer.

“Monaco is a great club in France and Europe,” the French midfielder explained (via Evening Standard).

“A lot of big clubs come here to find players and we are all aware of this. If it is the right opportunity or moment [to leave], I can’t say.”

From a defensive standpoint, someone like Fofana would be a fine addition. In comparison to someone like Loftus-Cheek, the French midfielder offers a far greater defensive output.

Loftus-Cheek has been a solid player for Chelsea over the years, but there can be no room for sentiment with a summer rebuild in mind.

Along with the midfielder, the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Carney Chukwuemeka have also been linked with moves away.

READ MORE: Tottenham considering cut-price deal for Chelsea star as Mauricio Pochettino plans for brutal summer rebuild