€16m+ deal close as Milan look to bolster midfield options

AC Milan are reportedly on the verge of securing the signing of Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea in a deal worth an initial €16m.

The 27-year-old came through the youth ranks with the Premier League side, and while he has spent time away on loan over the years, he has gone on to make 155 appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals and providing 18 assists.

READ MORE: Milan set to complete free transfer signing to address key issue

With doubts over his role next season though, speculation has heavily linked him with a move to join us this summer, and according to Fabrizio Romano, the England international is now closing in on a switch worth an initial €16m, with €4m in add-ons.

It’s added that personal terms have already been agreed, and so now it’s down to the final details of the agreement before it’s given the green light to go ahead.

Based on last season’s performances, Milan certainly could do with more quality in midfield next year, but combined with Tiemoue Bakayoko’s departure, Aster Vranckx not staying after his loan stint and Sandro Tonali’s expected exit, our midfield options will become thinner and new faces are needed.

Time will tell if Loftus-Cheek can establish himself as a key solution for us, should the deal now happen as expected, but he’ll no doubt relish the opportunity of a fresh start and a chance to prove himself at the top level as he enters what will hopefully be the peak years of his career.

Milan have had success with signings from Chelsea in recent times with Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud establishing themselves as fundamental figures in our side, and so it remains to be seen if Loftus-Cheek will follow suit as we hope to make important signings this summer to raise the level of the squad.

The touted fee suggests that we are convinced by his potential to be a key piece for us, and we can ill-afford any further missteps in the transfer market having seen a significant number of individuals in the current squad fall short of expectations and demands in recent times.

With his physicality, agility and athleticism, he has the attributes to be an imposing figure for us in midfield if he remains healthy, and it will be on Pioli and the coaching staff to get the best out of him to ensure he can make a positive and consistent impact.