Napoli could reportedly make a shocking late swoop for out-of-favor Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek. According to Corriere dello Sport journalist Pasquale Salvione, I Partenopei have yet to make a formal approach for the 25-year-old, though they plot a late move.
Napoli are keen to add a box-to-box midfielder in the final stage of the transfer window. Tiemoue Bakayoko, who spent last season on loan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, was the first-choice target. However, he is now on the verge of re-signing for Milan on a two-year loan.
However, I Partenopei look determined to raid Chelsea for a midfielder one way or another. After their faltered efforts to land Bakayoko on another loan deal, they have now shifted their attention towards Loftus-Cheek. The Englishman is not a part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans at Stamford Bridge and should leave west London in the final days of the summer.
Loftus-Cheek enjoyed a decent season-long loan at Fulham in 2020/21, but the Cottagers’ relegation to the Championship has hindered their plans of keeping him permanently. As a result, the tall midfielder now has to find an alternate destination to ensure regular first-team football.
Low in the pecking order under Tuchel, he would embrace the prospect of joining Napoli. Though the Italians have yet to enter negotiations with Chelsea, Cristiano Giuntoli has identified Loftus-Cheek as a perfect addition. The player’s readiness to accept the move should accelerate the club’s pursuit of the ex-England international.
Apart from Loftus-Cheek, Napoli are also monitoring two other potential reinforcements. Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat and Sheffield United’s Sander Berge are the other profiles considered by the Naples-based heavyweights.