Chelsea risk losing two key midfielders to Champions League clubs

Chelsea has been going through a rough time this season and now they face losing both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic.

‘Reunited and it feels so good’ – Thomas Tuchel & Mateo Kovacic

According to Kerry Hau of Sport1 (Germany), Thomas Tuchel wants to bring Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic to Bayern Munich. Kovacic is reportedly no longer happy at Chelsea and may look for a move away from Stamford Bridge. Tuchel and new Bayern assistant coach Anthony Barry enjoyed working with Kovacic when at Chelsea.

Bayern Munich is expected to add RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer. The Top Flight has reported that Ryan Gravenberch is subject to Premier League interest. Bayern will look to add to their midfield with Kovacic seen as a top target for the rekordmeister.

Mateo Kovacic joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2018. The Croatian international has four Champions League titles to his name. He was a part of the past two World Cup squads for Croatia that finished second and third respectively. The 28-year-old has been subject to much transfer interest with his contract expiring in 2024.

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La Cobham product Ruben Loftus-Cheek could make an Italian move

90min’s Tom Gott & Graeme Bailey report that AC Milan is interested in signing Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer from Chelsea. Similar to Mateo Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek’s contract will expire in under 18 months. With Chelsea looking to continue its rebuild, Loftus-Cheek will likely be a victim of the players who have to leave this summer.

90min further reports that AC Milan is not the only club monitoring the English international. Lazio and Napoli are also said to be interested but Milan has been the most eager to make a deal so far. Should Ruben Loftus-Cheek join AC Milan, he would be reunited with former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori who joined the Italian side in 2021. 

Loftus-Cheek has spent his entire professional career under contract with the Blues, including loans to fellow London clubs Fulham and Crystal Palace.