Chelsea’s agenda for the summer transfer window is to sell players that are no longer part of the project. Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is in the long list of players considered expendables and Chelsea could use him in a player plus cash deal to sign AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
Todd Boehly’s deep pockets allowed Chelsea to splash over £600 million in transfers in the last two transfer windows. The spending spree is not going to stop as CFC continue to look at ways to upgrade their squad. However, the Blues won’t have a free hand this summer as the club risk violating the Financial Fair Play rules.
Chelsea will have to sell players and trim their wage budget before 30th June as FFP reality hits the club. The midfield is also expected to see some transformation as the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher and Loftus-Cheek face an uncertain future. The Blues will also try to sign a competent partner for Enzo Fernandez in the midfield.
Chelsea could use Ruben-Loftus Cheek as makeweight to sign Rafael Leao
Loftus-Cheek has been attracting interest from Italy. According to Tuttomercatoweb, AC Milan, Inter Milan and AS Roma are interested in signing the Englishman in the summer. Another report from 90min confirms AC Milan’s interest in Loftus-Cheek, who will enter the final 12 months of his contract in the summer.
Chelsea have employed a new policy of preventing players from entering the final two years of their contracts, hence, players who are in the final year of their deals will be sold if an appropriate offer arrives at the table. Lazio and Napoli are also keeping an eye on the 27 year old midfielder.
The Englishman is open to the idea of playing in Serie A and could push for a move to Italy instead of remaining in the Premier League, where he has admirers in form of Fulham, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Wolves.
Chelsea have been in awe of AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao. He has been a long term target for the Blues and despite Milan’s attempts to tie Leao on a long term deal, Chelsea’s pursuit is expected to continue.
CFC would explore a player plus cash deal for Leao where a number of players could be headed to San Siro from Stamford Bridge. With Loftus-Cheek a target for the Rossoneri, Chelsea could use him as a makeweight in an attempt to sign Leao. The Portuguese is rated at £71 million by Transfermarkt but Milan will value their prized asset for a much higher price.
Will CFC manage to sign Rafael Leao?