‘Can we talk about it in January?’ - AC Milan ‘bewitched’ by Chelsea star after Champions League performance

There are likely to be some big decisions made at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window when it opens in 11 weeks time.

Several Chelsea players are currently being linked with moves away from the club while Graham Potter will have his first window as Blues boss to operate in and there could very well be more new faces coming through the doors. Another player now appears to have caught the eye of a potential suitor following performances against his would be buyers in the Champions League. AC Milan officials are said to have been so impressed by Ruben Loftus-Cheek in their two Group E matches with the London club that they reportedly asked about the potential of a January move then and there. Here is what is being reported by the Italian media on the story:

Massara and Maldini ‘bewitched’ by Loftus-Cheek and want to ‘talk about’ Chelsea star in January

According to Calciomercato, Milan’s director of football Frederic Massara and sporting director Paolo Maldini were “bewitched” by Loftus-Cheek in the Champions League this season and reportedly asked Chelsea officials if they could discuss the 26-year old in January. The same report claims that the relationship between the two clubs is “more than excellent” which could facilitate any potential business.

Loftus-Cheek is a product of the Chelsea youth academy and has been with the club since 2004, breaking into the first team in 2014. The 26-year old has had loan spells with Fulham and Crystal Palace in the past and has been capped ten times by England but has struggled to nail down a regular starting position in the team. He made 40 appearances during the 2021/22 campaign, including 24 in the Premier League but has been in and out of the starting XI this season. His contract expires in 2024 and it remains to be seen what Graham Potter’s long term plans for the player are.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been heavily linked with AC Milan winger Rafael Leao in recent weeks and the news of the Serie A side’s interest in Loftus-Cheek could have an impact on the future of both players. If the relationship between the two clubs is as strong as reported, there may be an opportunity for a deal to be struck involving both players, if all parties concerned were interested.