Transfer News: Chelsea ace Ruben Loftus-Cheek a loan target for Southampton
According to exclusive transfer news from the Express, Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has emerged as a loan target for Southampton ahead of the summer window.
The 25-year-old, once regarded as the next biggest thing to come out of the Chelsea youth academy, has had his progress derailed by a serious injury. Having hardly played over the last season, Loftus-Cheek secured a loan transfer to Fulham in the summer window of 2020.
While he has been able to work back to full fitness and get regular game-time at Craven Cottage, Loftus-Cheek hasn’t exactly stood out and made people take note of his performances. The midfielder has managed 31 games in all competition, scoring one goal in the process.
With his time with the Cottagers now drawing a close, the England international will be back at the Bridge soon enough. Manager Thomas Tuchel recently revealed that he used to admire Loftus-Cheek in his early days, but that should not necessarily mean that the German will hand him opportunities in the first-team next term.
And, alert to the situation are Southampton, who are now plotting a loan swoop for Loftus-Cheek, who is valued at £20m. The Saints want to add depth and quality to their squad in order to avoid a dip in form like the one they endured this term, and see the 25-year-old as a valuable addition. (h/t Express)
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Loftus-Cheek, who earns £120,000-a-week at Chelsea, will find it hard to break into the side, given that the likes of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Billy Gilmour, Mason Mount are all well ahead of him in the pecking order.
So, a loan move to Southampton, where he will play under a tactically astute coach like Hasenhuttl could prove to be beneficial.