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Report: Chelsea plan Loftus-Cheek swap for £107m Arsenal and Tottenham target

Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Italian outlet CMW claim Chelsea are planning to offer Lazio a player-plus-cash deal to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic involving Ruben Loftus-Cheek – amid reports both North London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham want the Serbian.

Spain-born Serbia star Milinkovic-Savic, 27, is seen as one of Serie A’s best midfielders. The star has now clocked up a huge 314 appearances for Lazio in all competitions – having a hand in a 121 goals. But his contract ends in June 2024.

Gazzetta Dello Sport claim Lazio president Claudio Lotito wants £107million. But with Milinkovic-Savic’s deal about to enter the last 18 months, Lotito may have to accept he is not going to get top dollar for his star, ahead of January.

A previous report from CMW says Antonio Conte wants Tottenham to sign him. Meanwhile, CMW have also said that Arsenal are keen on him – and willing to offer Albert Sambi Lokonga in a similar deal to the one Chelsea are planning.

Indeed, the Blues are likely to be after a midfielder. Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are both out of contract at the end of the season and will require replacing. The latest report states that Chelsea could include Loftus-Cheek to sign him.

Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
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Chelsea planning offer to sign Milinkovic-Savic involving Loftus-Cheek

So, Arsenal, Tottenham or Chelsea – for Milinkovic-Savic? He is a player that has been regularly linked with a move to the Premier League. Manchester United have been strongly linked at times. But now, a move to London looks likely.

As aforementioned, Chelsea need a midfielder with two of their biggest names in that position set to go. Milinkovic-Savic would be a good replacement, but he is more attacking than those two. Arsenal could do with competition.

Granit Xhaka has been pushed further forward and having Milinkovic-Savic as a rival would really improve the Gunners. Tottenham need more attacking midfielders too. A switch to 3-5-2 opens up the need for a player like Milinkovic-Savic.

So, it is up to the man himself with all three needing a player like him. It could come down to whoever presents the best wages, whoever pays the most. But maybe, most-importantly, it is about Champions League qualification.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of SS Lazio looks on prior to the
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images