Serie A team hold talks with Chelsea amid £15million bid for star midfielder

AC Milan have opened talks with Chelsea to try and sign midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek after initially looking like abandoning their pursuit of the midfielder.

Loftus Cheek was a target for Milan last January but it all went radio silent after Paolo Maldini was sacked, but the sale of Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United has meant the Italian giants are back in the market for a new midfielder.

Chelsea are determined to undertake a massive clearout that has already seen the likes of Kalidou Koulibali and N’Golo Kante leave the club for Saudi Arabia.

The likes of Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic are all on their way out as the new owners look to get most of the high earners out of the door and look to bring in young players, hungry and determined to prove a point.

Loftus-Cheek looked to be waving goodbye to the fans in the last game of the season against Newcastle but talks of a move to Milan looked to have cooled down until Monday morning.

Milan have two slots for non-Europeans and have been long-term admirers of the midfielder who has also played for Crystal Palace and Fulham.

Blessed with an incredible physique and great technical ability, Loftus Cheek could benefit from a change in scenery and a new challenge after nine years at Chelsea.

The midfielder has racked up 155 appearances for the West London outfit, contributing 13 goals and 18 assists since making his debut in 2014. His exit will also help create space and funds for their reported interest in Moisés Caicedo.