Inter Milan ‘are interested in taking Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan from Chelsea’ as they look to regain their Serie A title next season.
While the Nerazzurri weigh up whether to re-sign Romelu Lukaku from the Stamford Bridge club, there could potentially also be a deal for the England midfielder.
Gazzetta dello Sport report that Inter are considering Loftus-Cheek, 26, who is likely to leave Chelsea this summer and has been offered to them.
While the asking price of £17million is prohibitive to the Italian club, there may be the possibility of a loan for a player whose Chelsea contract expires in 2024.
The Belgian is reportedly heading for the exit door at Chelsea again after an underwhelming big-money move.
Loftus-Cheek would earn £3million per season, according to Gazzetta’s report, which would fall within Inter’s budget.
It would be Loftus-Cheek’s third loan spell away from Chelsea, after a season with Crystal Palace in 2017-18 and with Fulham in 2020-21.
Though the academy graduate featured in 40 matches for Thomas Tuchel’s side last season, he started just 13 Premier League and two Champions League fixtures, spending a considerable amount of time on the bench.
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi has already made one midfield addition for next season by signing 33-year-old Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Roma.
They have also been linked with Empoli’s Albanian midfielder Kristjan Asllani.
Inter finished two points behind their city rivals AC Milan in an exciting Serie A title race and will determined to fight back next term.
Loftus-Cheek does have experience also of playing in the Champions League with Chelsea.
Though Belgian striker Lukaku has made no secret of his desire to return to the San Siro, even a loan fee of £20m could prove too much for Inter’s budget.