Fulham are making a deadline day move to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan from Chelsea, with last season's Championship play-off winners also attempting to sign at least one centre back before 11pm this evening.
Tony Khan, the director of football, and head coach Scott Parker have made Loftus-Cheek their No1 midfield target but an agreement would need to be reached regarding cost with the England midfielder's six-figure weekly wage off-putting for a number of other sides.
West Ham United, Newcastle United and, previously, Aston Villa had been among those also keen on a temporary deal for the 24-year-old. Fulham's interest was first reported by the Daily Mail.
Frank Lampard, Chelsea's head coach, last week left the door open for Loftus-Cheek to head out on loan in search of regular minutes. He has struggled to become a regular since recovering from a serious achilles injury sustained at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
There is no prospect of Chelea's selling the academy product.
"With every player in the squad, with the situation of a loan, you have to consider what's best for the player, what's best for the club first and foremost. And then see how it stacks up," Lampard said last week.
"Once the window shuts every player that will be here will be used within our squad, because it's a long season and a lot of competitions coming up. And we'll know more on Monday."
Half a dozen Chelsea players are expected to head out on loan today, with Tiemoue Bakayoko and Toni Rudiger among those eyeing departures
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