West Ham United are reportedly interested in Chelsea duo Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dominic Solanke.
According to The Telegraph, West Ham United are keen to land Chelsea duo Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dominic Solanke after managers Slaven Bilic and Antonio Conte struck up a strong relationship.
The Hammers are keen to make January additions after a disappointing start to the season, and whilst fans may want to see proven Premier League players come in to solve Bilic’s problems, West Ham are looking at two youngsters.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Despite being London rivals, The Telegraph report that Hammers boss Bilic and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte have struck up a strong relationship thanks to their mutual respect.
West Ham are believed to be looking at taking advantage of that by targeting Chelsea players, and whilst they’re interested in signing goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and midielder Cesc Fabregas, it’s suggested that the Hammers are also keen on Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dominic Solanke.
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus Cheek in action with N’Golo Kante
Midfielder Loftus-Cheek, 20, has long been billed as the next big thing at Chelsea, but has only played 17 Premier League games for the Blues, and a move to West Ham may give him a shot at more first-team football.
It’s claimed that Chelsea won’t allow Loftus-Cheek to go permanently under any circumstances, so any deal to join West Ham would almost certainly be a loan deal.
Dominic Solanke
Meanwhile, striker Solanke has been on the books at Chelsea since 2004, and whilst he’s only made one appearance for the Blues, he scored seven goals in 26 games on loan at Vitesse Arnhem last season.
Solanke is out of contract next summer though, and Chelsea won’t let him leave on loan until he pens a new deal, meaning West Ham may have an outside shot at a permanent deal or the 19-year-old, though his demands of £50,000-a-week wages at Chelsea have allegedly stunned many at Stamford Bridge.
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