OPINION
Everton have the financial muscle and ambition to blow West Ham out of the water in the race to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan this summer.
Widespread reports have stated Chelsea are willing to send the 22-year-old attacking midfielder out for a second successive season despite making an impressive impact at the World Cup.
The Guardian claim Everton and West Ham, as well as Crystal Palace, where he spent last season, are among the clubs interested in taking Loftus-Cheek for the forthcoming campaign.
Indeed, the Hammers have already made some progress in their pursuit, with Ex-WHU Employee, who is a very reliable source, has claimed in a transfer column for the West Ham Way site that the club have “spoken” to their London rivals about taking one of Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley or Danny Drinkwater from Chelsea on a loan-to-buy deal.
However, Everton can offer a sporting and financial package that the east Londoners just won’t be able to match for the Chelsea academy product, who started his first World Cup match in Sunday’s 6-1 demolition of Panama.
The 2016-17 Premier League champions are sure to demand a hefty loan fee for Loftus-Cheek following his development over the last 12 months, as well as insisting his temporary employers pay the entirety of his salary.
Everton have the means to offer a multi-million pound loan fee and, under new boss Marco Silva, can hand the youngster an integral role in the team.
Loftus-Cheek is emerging as the real deal. Technically gifted, powerful and athletic, he can create and score goals, and his decision-making is improving all the time.
He would be a brilliant loan signing for the Premier League side able to agree terms with Chelsea.
Don’t bet against that being big spenders Everton.