With Newcastle United set to sign Sandro Tonali, AC Milan are now looking for a midfield replacement – and they could turn to a player who Eddie Howe wanted in January.
The Magpies are set to bring Tonali to St James’ Park this summer, with a deal in place for the 23-year-old to become Newcastle’s first senior signing ahead of next season.
He will sign a six-year deal on Tyneside, with the £60million transfer set to make him the most expensive Italian player ever.
AC Milan did not want to lose their star midfielder, but they have been unable to resist Newcastle‘s big money offer.
Now they are going to reinvest the cash, and could use it to sign a Premier League midfielder who was on the Magpies’ radar a few months ago.
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AC Milan interested in Ruben Loftus-Cheek
According to the Evening Standard, AC Milan are going to reignite their interest in Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The report states that the Italian side want RLC to replace Tonali, adding that the England international is valued at £25million. However, Milan are hoping they can get him for £15million.
The 27-year-old will be allowed to leave Chelsea this summer, as they continue the Stamford Bridge exodus of 2023. There has been a major clear-out in West London, and it looks set to continue.
That could be to Milan’s benefit, as they eye a player who Newcastle tried to sign in January. Now it could be Newcastle who open the door for him to head to Italy.
Loftus-Cheek was one of three Chelsea players who Howe wanted in January, alongside Hakim Ziyech and Conor Gallagher.
The former appeared to be the most likely to leave, although he was probably the one who Toon fans wanted least – despite the club desperately needing to sign a midfielder after Jonjo Shelvey’s injury and subsequent departure.
RLC would have plugged the gap, but Newcastle gambled and thrived without signing a replacement, and are now reaping the benefits financially. Spending less money in January means more funds are available now, with Tonali on course to become one of the Toon’s most expensive players ever.
And that could now lead to a former Newcastle target getting the transfer that his career needs.