First exit under Pochettino on the cards as £21.6m Chelsea man says yes to Italian giants

Chelsea are set to see a number of players depart in the upcoming summer transfer window as the Blues prepare to balance their books. Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek could leave Chelsea in the summer as AC Milan continue to show interest in the Englishman.

Mauricio Pochettino is set to take over the reins at Stamford Bridge and has a shortlist of players he wants the Blues to sign. In midfield, Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, West Ham captain Declan Rice, Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia are touted as transfer targets.

The Chelsea midfield is expected to see a swirl of ins and outs this summer as the futures of Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount and Loftus-Cheek continue to remain uncertain. Negotiations with N’Golo Kante for a contract extension is said to be edging towards an agreement but the Frenchman is yet to sign the deal.

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek could join AC Milan

Pochettino admires Mount and Gallagher and is keen to keep them at Chelsea as they could play an instrumental part in the new project. CFC needs to raise funds to balance their books and their priority in June will be to sell players that are no longer useful in the project.

Chelsea’s utility man Loftus-Cheek is closer to leaving Chelsea than any other player who is considered expendable. According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Loftus-Cheek has given his green light to a move to AC Milan. The Rossoneri are interested in the Englishman as they reinforce their midfield. Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer will be out for at least six months and the AC Milan hierarchy are now looking for two midfielders in the transfer market.

Chelsea are willing to sell the 27 year old for £21.6 million but so far no negotiations have taken place between Milan and the Blues. CFC are losing a versatile midfielder who can not only play in various midfield roles but also as a right wing back, as he did this season in Graham Potter’s system when Reece James was unavailable.

Perhaps, Chelsea are making a mistake letting the Englishman go, given his low salary and modest playing time expectations. Loftus-Cheek is a splendid squad player to have that will execute any role that is assigned to him. Given that his contract expires in 2024, Milan could push to bring the asking price further down as CFC are under pressure to sell.

Will Ruben Loftus-Cheek join AC Milan?