Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has given his green light to complete a summer transfer to Italian giants AC Milan. football.london understands Milan contacted the Blues over a move for the 27-year-old earlier this month with talks now progressing well.
Loftus-Cheek is expected to be one of many departures from Stamford Bridge this summer as Todd Boehly looks to trim down Mauricio Pochettino's squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. There have been no official talks to renew his current contract which is set to expire at the end of next season.
Loftus-Cheek made his breakthrough into the senior team back in 2015 before enjoying loan spells with Crystal Palace and Fulham. The 27-year-old had only completed 90 minutes on eight occasions this term and finds himself playing a rotation role within the team.
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Chelsea have set an asking price of €25million (£22million) for Loftus-Cheek to leave the club this summer, whilst Milan are only willing to pay up to €20million (£17.2million), according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Blues midfielder has emerged as a priority target for the Italians after Ismael Bennacer’s knee injury, which will force the Algeria international out of action until the end of the year.
Loftus-Cheek is now said to have approved a move to the San Siro with the two clubs still negotiating a price for his transfer. Milan have reportedly tabled an opening offer of €15million (£12.9million) plus add-ons for the 27-year-old - but Chelsea are hoping for a slightly higher fee as Boehly looks to fund Pochettino's summer transfer plans.
The Blues are currently in talks to sign Manuel Ugarte from Sporting CP after Pochettino identified the 22-year-old as a key player to add to his squad. However, Paris Saint-Germain have offered Ugarte a higher wage package compared to Chelsea which has seen negotiations hit a major stumbling block.
The Uruguayan midfielder has a £52million release clause included in his Sporting contract. Ugarte is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge but with the lack of Champions League football and lower wages being offered to him by Boehly, there is still work to do before a deal can be completed.
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