Chelsea Could Offer Midfielder In Deal For Inter Milan Star

Chelsea could be set to offer midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek in an attempt to lower the asking price of Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, according to reports.

This comes as the Blues are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements this summer.

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea could be inclined to offer a player such as Loftus-Cheek in any transfer this summer.

Thomas Tuchel is in need of defensive players, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing at the end of their contracts.

The German defender has officially been announced as a Real Madrid player, while Christensen was named on the release list at Stamford Bridge and looks set to sign for Barcelona.

Several names have been linked with a move to Chelsea to replace the duo, with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde looking the most likely to arrive in London this summer.

Milan Skriniar celebrates his goal for Inter Milan against Cagliari. (Alamy)

A formal bid has been submitted for the French international, said to be in excess of €50 million, €15 million below Sevilla’s valuation for the defender.

It remains to be seen as to whether the La Liga side can be tempted into accepting lower than their valuation for Kounde, with Chelsea expected to sign more than one defender during this transfer window.

This leaves the door open for Skriniar to join the Blues, with Paris Saint-Germain also holding a strong interest in the Slovakian.

The Mail state that Chelsea would look to ‘lower their financial outlay’ in a transfer for the Inter defender by including a player, with Loftus-Cheek being named in the report.

The midfielder has found his feet at Chelsea once again, returning from loan at Fulham to see some increased game time under Tuchel.

Milan Skriniar on the ball for Inter Milan against Sampdoria. (Alamy)

Featuring in 40 matches across the season, Loftus-Cheek has proved his versatility, playing in the back three on one occasion and also making a handful of appearances at wing-back as well as his regular midfield role.

It remains to be seen as to what the future holds for the Blues’ midfielder, who has also been heavily linked with a move to Lazio in the Serie A as Maurizio Sarri looks to be reunited with his former player.

Chelsea have also identified Skriniar’s teammates, Stefan de Vrij and Denzel Dumfries as potential transfer targets this summer, with Inter standing firm on their refusal to sell Dumfries.

However, de Vrij could find himself at Stamford Bridge if the Blues cannot tempt Inter into parting ways with Skriniar.