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Chelsea set 'Ruben Loftus-Cheek asking price amid AC Milan interest'

Chelsea 'set Loftus-Cheek asking price amid Milan interest'
© Reuters
Chelsea reportedly set an asking price for Ruben Loftus-Cheek amid interest from Italian giants AC Milan.

Chelsea have reportedly set Ruben Loftus-Cheek's asking price as they anticipate interest in his signature this summer.

Having made another eight signings during the January transfer window, it is inevitable that the Blues will look to facilitate departures ahead of 2023-24.

While a wide array of players are being linked with moves elsewhere, the club's owners will be keen to part ways with at least one homegrown talent due to the boost that it would hand them with FFP.

Any sale of an academy graduate goes down in the books as pure profit, and it is perceived to be a necessary avenue for Chelsea after spending over £600m since the club changed ownership at the end of May.

Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount have both been linked with a transfer away from Stamford Bridge since the turn of the year, while Trevoh Chalobah will fall into that bracket if he remains no more than a backup member of Graham Potter's squad.

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly before the match on March 4, 2023© Reuters

In the case of Loftus-Cheek, he has emerged as an important part of the group when fit, recently starting in his recognised position of central midfield before deputising at right wing-back against Leeds United on Saturday.

However, with a contract until 2024, which can be extended by a further 12 months, the 27-year-old is a natural option to be sold later this year.

According to Calciomercato, Chelsea have decided that they will consider selling Loftus-Cheek for €25m (£22.1m) in the summer.

That decision was allegedly communicated to Milan when club officials held conversations during a period in October during a time when the teams met twice in the Champions League.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 17, 2022.© Reuters

Although Milan are viewed as big admirers of Loftus-Cheek, it is unclear whether they will be prepared to proceed with a proposal for that fee.

Loftus-Cheek has made 13 starts and 17 assists during his 145 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, while 18 starts have been made during this campaign.

A potential stumbling block could revolve around the player's desire to leave London having never plied his trade outside of England's capital.

In two loan spells away from Chelsea, Loftus-Cheek represented Crystal Palace and Fulham, although Milan will hope that defender and former Chelsea player Fikayo Tomori could tempt his compatriot and ex-teammate into moving to San Siro.

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