Chelsea agree £18.5m deal with AC Milan for Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Chelsea have agree an £18.5 million deal with AC Milan for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to reports in Italy.

The 27-year-old is one of several players leaving Stamford Bridge this summer with Chelsea keen to trim Mauricio Pochettino’s squad ahead of the new season.

Loftus-Cheek made 33 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season but was unable to hold down a regular role in midfield.

AC Milan, meanwhile, are in the market for a new central midfielder as they are on the verge of selling Sandro Tonali in a £60m deal to Newcastle United.

According to Sky Sport in Italy, Chelsea and AC Milan have now reached an agreement for Loftus-Cheek worth £18.5m, including add-ons.

Loftus-Cheek becomes the third first-team player to leave Chelsea this summer after Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante both secured moves to the Saudi Pro League.

Hakim Ziyech is also undergoing a medical ahead of his move to Al-Nassr, while Edouard Mendy is set to join Al Ahli.

Meanwhile, former AC Milan head coach Arrigo Sacchi has backed AC Milan’s decision to sell Tonali and sign Loftus-Cheek as a replacement.

‘Some figures are fundamental for a club like Milan. You’ll see that Milan will gamble on young players, trying to imitate Napoli,’ Sacchi said.

‘Don’t forget they won the title after selling Koulbaly, Insigne, Mertens and Fabian Ruiz, their most famous players.

‘Loftus-Cheek is strong physically, he moves a lot which is crucial in today’s football. He also has international experience and this can help the group grow.’