Speaking recently on the Ask Ornstein YouTube show, David Ornstein discussed Southampton’s interest in Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Making his Chelsea debut as an 18-year-old back in 2014, Loftus-Cheek has gone on to make 82 appearances for the first team, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists along the way.
However, a ruptured Achilles tendon kept the £21.6 million-rated 24-year-old sidelined for a large part of last season, with the central midfielder featuring just seven times in the Premier League.
So far this term, the England international has featured just once for Frank Lampard’s side, playing 61 minutes in the club’s 3-1 victory over Brighton in their first game of the Premier League season, and has since been left out of the squad for the club’s league fixtures against both Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion, as well as their Carabao Cup games with Barnsley and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, it has recently been reported that, should Loftus-Cheek be made available for loan, Southampton would be keen on bringing the player to St Mary’s.
This was one topic of conversation on a recent episode of the Ask Ornstein YouTube show, with Ornstein discussing Saints’ potential move for the Chelsea midfielder.
He said: “Southampton are working hard and [are] optimistic of getting at least one new face through the door.
“We know, following the early departure of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Tottenham, that Saints were keen to strengthen in central midfield.
“My Athletic colleague, Dan Sheldon, revealed they want to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan from Chelsea.
“They won’t be the only club in that fight, and I’m sure they’ll have other options, but I am told to watch this space on that number six role.”
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TIF Thoughts…
From Ornstein’s comments, it would appear as if the journalist is of the belief that Southampton are indeed interested in the loan signing of Loftus-Cheek, although he stresses that they will not be the only club keen on the 24-year-old.
As such, this is a potential deal that we will be keeping a very close eye on over the remainder of the summer transfer window, which is set to slam shut on Monday.