Ruben Loftus-Cheek is not for sale, at least where AC Milan are concerned. However, that does not mean that he is off the market. Instead, he is one to consider.
Before the January mercato, there were suggestions that Loftus-Cheek could leave Milan, with him pushing for a spot in the England World Cup squad. However, there has not been any movement just yet.
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Massimiliano Allegri does not want to part with the midfielder, and this viewpoint is shared by the Rossoneri. If his departure means others can arrive, though, questions would have to be asked.
Sales change the picture
Lazio have been the main point of interest for him, and things are no different; they remain interested. In fact, with the sale of Matteo Guendouzi to Fenerbahce, as well as the €30 million received for Taty Castellanos, they could even start to make a more appealing move.
As Calciomercato.com reports, Maurizio Sarri is still the priority, and he is the ‘first request’ for this winter. New contacts have taken place, and the Englishman’s agents have been working to find an agreement regarding his salary.
The Rossoneri are very much aware of this, and whilst there is no sign of an imminent deal, he is not deemed unsellable. So, if Igli Tare receives a fair offer, it would be considered, especially if it were to aid a move for a new defender.
Make Lazio agree to a loan with obligation to buy structure for Gila in the summer, and I’d say this is a very useful transfer. Shame to see RLC go, but he’s injury prone and I have more faith in Ricci and Jashari for the future anyway.
They should swap both on 1.5yr loans with option.
I believe RLC and Gila are both in the final 18 months of their contracts. So this wouldn’t be possible without the players extending current deals. Which I don’t think either player is inclined to.
Suspect they would both would not give up this much control of their futures.
RLC is a good squad player and I am not comfortable rocking the boat in a midfield that has been quite good so far in a scudetto race. I wouldn’t mind seeing him go in June, but I think it’s risky in January. That said, it will mean more minutes for Ricci and Jashari. That also said, a couple of injuries would plunge the midfield department into emergency.
I see what you mean, but I don’t entirely agree. Have you watched Milan Futuro by any chance? I think both Eletu and Sala are ready to be an option off the bench.
Maybe even recall Musah. But if this deal could help to bring over Gila, I would be very positive about it. But only under that condition.
I like RLC too much in this squad. Maybe we’re out of the scudetto race by end of January and then we can sell away. But we have a chance to win the whole thing this year and midfield depth matters a ton to the way Allegri wants to play. That’s why we bought 4 (?!!) midfielders in the offseason. RLC can also moonlight as second striker, wingback and even defender in a back 3. He’s so useful as a gap filler in the event of injury.
Agree.
He’s been particularly useful this season as cover for constantly injured forwards.
Hard to say, RLC is one of those players that gets scapegoated a lot but he’s an ok depth piece. However he’s does have his limitations and is pretty slow on the ball, might be better to sell in the summer though