Chelsea set defender asking price as Serie A giants eye loan to buy deal

Fikayo Tomori TEAMtalk

Chelsea have reportedly set an asking price, with the club in ‘advanced talks’ with AC Milan over a loan to buy deal for out-of-favour defender Fikayo Tomori.

The 23-year-old enjoyed an impressive breakthrough for the Blues last season, after previously starring on loan under Frank Lampard at Derby.

However, he has fallen out of favour this season, having made just four first-team appearances. To that end, Lampard has given club chiefs the nod to let the player depart.

AC Milan contacted Chelsea over a possible move for Tomori earlier this month, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

He now claims that talks have progressed and the Serie A club are hoping to complete a deal in the coming days.

The move is set to be a loan with the option to buy, with Chelsea reportedly setting their price at £26.4million (€30m).

However, as reported on talkSPORT, there will be no obligation to make the move for permanent for the Italians.

 

Indeed, a report on Thursday claimed that the Blues do not want to lose Tomori, as they see him as a player for the future.

Newcastle and Leeds have also emerged as loan options for Tomori. But it appears that a move to Italy is much more likely at this stage.

Tomori keen on move

AC Milan’s director of football Frederic Massara is said to be a big admirer of Tomori, while the player favours the move.

Earlier this month Lampard insisted Tomori’s long-term future remained with Chelsea, despite the club giving Milan the option to sign him in a permanent deal.

Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori Chelsea

“Fikayo Tomori absolutely has a long-term future at this club, and we’ll see if and when he goes on loan,” said Lampard.

“The moment I got close to Fikayo was when I took him to Derby with me and he was Player of the Year there and one of the best players in the Championship that year in my opinion.

“And then he came back and played 20-plus games for us at a very young age last year and got in the England squad.

“There’s an absolute long-term plan for Fikayo in my head about his career here. And if it’s to go and play games it’s to absolutely enhance his personal development.

“Hopefully he can help whatever team he goes to, because that will come hand in hand, and then come back to us a better player.”

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