Chelsea are now open to offers for midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Newcastle interest
The Premier League playmaker has worked his way up through the academy ranks at Stamford Bridge, where he was sent out on development loans to Crystal Palace and Fulham before becoming a regular feature of the senior first-team squad.
The Blues graduate has played in four of the last five top-flight games under Graham Potter, but having now entered the final 18 months of his contract, has been linked with an exit.
Newcastle United were reportedly interested in a late deal to sign the 27-year-old in January but a deal failed to materialise because the boss wouldn’t let him leave due to the injury crisis his squad were facing at the time.
The Latest: Chelsea open to sale
According to Football Insider, Loftus-Cheek is now also being ‘tracked’ by several clubs both in England and overseas ahead of the summer window.
In the Premier League, it’s claimed that there are five unnamed teams that hold a ‘strong interest’, whilst AC Milan and Roma are ‘keeping tabs’ in the Serie A.
The SW6 outfit are believed to hold an option to extend his current deal by one year, but sources have stated that they are ‘open to selling him’ and will therefore listen to any offers put on the table.
The Verdict: Don’t let him go
Chelsea have already sold the likes of Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori having come up from the academy and it’s important that they don’t do the same with Loftus-Cheek, because he is a player who nearly always has a positive impact on the team.
The Adidas-sponsored star has made 30 goal contributions (13 goals and 17 assists) since being promoted to the first team and adds a different dimension to the midfield with his height and athleticism compared to his fellow teammates, standing at 6 foot 2.
England’s former international currently ranks in the 99th percentile for most progressive carries and the 97th percentile for most successful take-ons per game, highlighting the difference he can make when given the chance to play (FBRef).
The Lewisham-born talent is also a great option for the manager to have at his disposal having operated in an incredible nine various positions throughout his career.
Loftus-Cheek has been dubbed a ‘dangerous’ player by journalist Josh Bunting and he could go on to become a key cog in the midfield over the next few years, but that will only happen should the Blues change their mind on his future.