GdS: A price tag and a counter-move – Milan’s stance on Loftus-Cheek as Aston Villa circle

Aston Villa are eyeing Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but AC Milan do not seem to have any intentions of letting him go mid-season.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) confirm Villa’s interest in signing Loftus-Cheek this January. However, Milan’s stance is clear: the midfielder isn’t on the list of players to be sold unless a particularly lucrative offer arrives. That hasn’t happened so far.

In all of this, it’s important to remember how valuable Massimiliano Allegri considers the Englishman. So far this season he has showed that he can play at least three positions, having been used as a midfielder, a second striker and even as a wing-back.

The counter-move

It’s no coincidence that Milan have begun contract negotiations in recent months. The current one ties Loftus-Cheek to the Rossoneri until June 2027, with a net salary of approximately €4m per season.

The Englishman hasn’t impressed to the level his salary suggests, but thanks also to the benefits of the Growth Decree, his wages deemed sustainable overall. If anything, doubts may be tied to the contract’s duration, and his age given that RLC turns 30 tomorrow.

An offer of €15m for a permanent transfer could turn Milan’s head. This would likely be the last chance to cash in on the Englishman’s departure. Moreover, in the year of the World Cup, the player might also be tempted to return to his homeland to try and secure a spot in the national team.

All of this is theoretical, given that the management are yet to receive an offer that would shake their belief in keeping Loftus-Cheek. Should that happen, the Rossoneri would then have to find a suitable replacement too, though the money could also be used on a defender.