Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for AC Milan.
Despite having now reached 26 years of age, Loftus-Cheek has only made a total of 132 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions since coming through the club's academy setup.
However, as well as missing close to an entire season with an Achilles injury, the playmaker has also spent periods on loan at Crystal Palace and Fulham.
Despite numerous spells away from the Chelsea first team, Loftus-Cheek has established himself under Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
As many as 50 outings have come since the beginning of 2021-22, by far the most productive stint of his Chelsea career in terms of game time.
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According to Calciomercato, Milan have taken note of Loftus-Cheek's recent progression and registered an interest in his signature.
The report claims that Milan chiefs Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara told their Blues counterparts that they were admirers of the England international as recently as last week.
Nevertheless, it is said that Chelsea indicated that they had no desire to part ways with Loftus-Cheek for the foreseeable future.
That stance is expected to remain the same until the West Londoners are able to determine whether one of their longest-serving players wishes to extend his contract past 2024.
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While there have been no reports regarding negotiations having begun, new head coach Potter may indicate to the board that he wishes to tie Loftus-Cheek down to a new deal.
He has featured in each of Potter's five matches since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, including playing for the full 90 minutes as Chelsea defeated Milan by a 3-0 scoreline on October 5.
Although he only played 28 minutes of the reverse fixture at San Siro on Tuesday night, Potter has made a point of rotating his players in an attempt to keep them fresh over the coming month.
In total, Loftus-Cheek has made seven starts and four substitute outings during 2022-23, his one assist coming in the first match versus Milan.
Darren Plant
