According to The Mail and The Telegraph, Chelsea could be set to allow Ruben Loftus-Cheek to be loaned out again this summer – giving Rafa Benitez fresh hope in his attempts to bring the England international to St James’ Park for the 2018/19 season.
Benitez’s interest in Loftus-Cheek has been clear for a few years now, and that will have only increased given his recent form at Crystal Palace and subsequent inclusion in England’s World Cup squad.
According to the Chronicle, Benitez wanted to sign him on loan in January 2017 (for the second half of our Championship season) and last summer, and it looks like he’ll attempt to make it third time lucky over the next few weeks.
It’s an ambitious and unlikely deal, with three quarters of the Premier League probably trying to pull off the same thing, but claims that he will be loaned out again from the Mail and Telegraph will come as a welcome boost for Benitez.
Given his likely attraction to staying down south or the money others would pay in wages or loan fees compared to us, I’d put the likes of Everton, Palace and West Ham as favourites to sign him above us, however you never know.
Rafa has good contacts at Chelsea, the player will be aware of Kenedy’s progression under Benitez’s watchful eye and he will be afforded the chance to play week in week out in front of a 52,000 crowd at St James’ Park – something that he and Chelsea officials mat see as a good test of his metal.
I’m not holding my breath, but if he’s available on loan, we have a chance.
Latest on Loftus-Cheek's future, with #NUFC hopeful of loan deal this summer https://t.co/b9HJFyCTaG
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) June 26, 2018
