Roma are considering a move to sign rumoured Everton and Southampton target Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea before next Tuesday’s deadline, per Corriere dello Sport.
Giallorossi CEO Tiago Pinto continues to scour the market for potential options who will improve Jose Mourinho’s engine room. The midfielders Paulo Fonseca left behind do not convince the Portuguese, who beat Fiorentina to start his Serie A tenure.
Roma have explored signing Denis Zakaria, but would only consider paying half of Borussia Monchengladbach’s €20m (£17m) valuation. They have also studied Fulham’s Andre-Frank Anguissa, but are now assessing prising Loftus-Cheek away from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea may consider making Loftus-Cheek available for a late-window loan with a €16m (£14m) option to buy. Mourinho would contemplate the 25-year-old as a suitable option as he would offer greater physicality to some potential targets.
Everton and Southampton have also explored signing Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea, so Roma moving will not thrill either Premier League side. The Daily Mail reported the £60,000-per-week ace remained an option for the Toffees, despite Carlo Ancelotti resigning. While The Sun claim Ralph Hasenhuttl wants the 10-cap England international on the south coast.
Loftus-Cheek has failed to secure regular minutes at Chelsea since returning from spending last season on loan at Fulham. Thomas Tuchel has left the Blues product out of each of his Premier League squads to date. He was also an unused substitute in the UEFA Super Cup.
Everton, Southampton or Roma could offer Loftus-Cheek an escape from his Chelsea exile before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline passes. Adding a player to Benitez, Hasenhuttl or Mourinho’s squad who scored one goal over 30 Premier League appearances for Fulham.
Should Everton or Southampton rival Roma for Chelsea ace Loftus-Cheek?
Loftus-Cheek was a mainstay throughout his time at Fulham, but could not help keep Scott Parker’s side in the top-flight. He would struggle to make a telling difference to fixtures at times, but could dominate games when at full stride.
Parker was full of belief in the two-time Premier League winner having a commanding role in the Cottagers’ engine room. He waxed lyrical of Everton, Southampton and Roma target Loftus-Cheek before the midfielder returned to Chelsea earlier in the year.
“His self-belief has to be there,” Parker said, via FourFourTwo. “He’s playing in the best league in the world and at times is unplayable in the best league in the world, against teams and against players who are world-class.”
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