The Mirror are reporting that we are one the several Premier League clubs in the mix to sign Ruben Loftus Cheek in January – however he will only arrive if we free up a domestic loan slot by signing Rondon or Kenedy permanently next month.
Despite impressing every time he plays for Chelsea – with him scoring five in his last four games for the Blues – the promising midfielder is in desperate need of consistent game time after impressing at the World Cup over the summer.
The problem we have with any potential deal is that we have already filled our loan quota from English clubs through Solomon Rondon and Kenedy – so we would have to sign one of those permanently in January to free up a loan move for Loftus-Cheek.
The Mirror report that Crystal Palace and Bundesliga side Schalke will reignite their interest, also stating that ourselves, Bournemouth, and West Ham are pursuing a deal for the talented 22-year-old.
Given several of the above Premier League sides don’t have the loan issue we’re facing, we are already at a disadvantage here – not to mention the lack of financial power we have in terms of any potential permanent bid.
He would be a great signing, and someone that could give Ayoze Perez some much needed competition in the number 10 role – with him also able to operate out wide or as a central midfielder.
Any potential loan deal has the potential to suit both parties, but whether we can even put ourselves in a position to make this happen is perhaps the big issue here.
We would have to buy Kennedy as you can’t have two loan players from the same club. We won’t pay the 30 million Chelsea want for Kennedy and therefore won’t be loaning Loftus Cheek.
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