Newcastle United hold a strong interest in the Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek amid the final hours of this month’s transfer window.
What’s the latest?
Eddie Howe saw his first January arrival come through the door last week with the addition of Anthony Gordon from Everton in a deal which could rise as high as £45m.
However, that signing aside, it has been a fairly quiet month for the Geordies who are still seemingly looking to do some business in the remaining hours with a deal agreed upon for Harrison Ashby.
And it may not end with the potential signing of Ashby from West Ham United with the Toon believed to have their eyes on a trio of Chelsea players.
Speaking on the Ranks FC Patreon page, insider Dean Jones has suggested the player Newcastle admire the most from the trio is actually Loftus-Cheek:
(7:00) “Loftus-Cheek was the one I was told yesterday [Monday], they were most keen on. They weren’t sure if Chelsea would do a loan on that. So let’s keep an eye on that.”
Late business?
It is interesting to hear Loftus-Cheek could be the player who is garnering the most attention from the Magpies in terms of the Chelsea trio reported.
The 27-year-old has proven himself to be an extremely versatile player during his time at Stamford Bridge having played across the midfield and at right-back (via Transfermarkt).
And the Englishman has actually played a fairly significant role in the Blues’ side thus far but with Chelsea potentially receiving a significant number of players back from injury over the coming weeks, we wonder if that puts his spot in the side in jeopardy.
Would Loftus-Cheek be a good deadline day signing?
Yes
No
Chelsea’s transfer window has been nothing short of outrageous with the Londoners having spent around £182m – which could potentially rise significantly by the end of the day.
With this in mind, as well as Jonjo Shelvey’s imminent departure to Nottingham Forest, Newcastle could prove a place where Loftus-Cheek could offer his services in midfield.
The 27-year-old has covered in both a central and defensive midfield role this season which has seen him pick up an assist in the Champions League against AC Milan (via Transfermarkt).
And in comparison to other midfielders, Loftus-Cheek ranks in the top fifth percentile for dribbles completed, top seventh percentile for touches in the opposition box and has averaged more tackles per 90 minutes than Sean Longstaff this season.
As the hours tick by and Chelsea potentially look to bring even more players in, perhaps this could leave Loftus-Cheek’s position in the side in doubt and possibly open up a move to Tyneside for the 27-year-old.