Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues advised to sign Declan Rice; Ruben Loftus-Cheek close to joining AC Milan, and more - May 20, 2023
Chelsea lock horns with champions Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday (May 21) at the Emirates. Frank Lampard's team are 11th in the standings with three games left.
Meanwhile, a former player has advised the Blues to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice this summer. Elsewhere, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is close to joining AC Milan.
On that note, here's a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on May 20, 2023:
Chelsea advised to sign Declan Rice
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has advised the club to sign Declan Rice.
The Englishman enters the final year of his contract with West Ham United this summer but is not expected to sign an extension. The Blues are interested in the 24-year-old, who also has admirers at Arsenal and Manchester United.
In his column for Si and Dan Talk Chelsea, Leboeuf siad that his former club must amend the mistake of letting Rice leave as a youngster.
"Chelsea must try and sign Declan Rice. People have the right to make mistakes, and Chelsea made a mistake when they got rid of him when he was younger. Rice is a fantastic player; he’s strong, clever, technically good, physically a monster, and tactically he can be very useful," wrote Leboeuf.
He continued.
"It would be a big change if Chelsea signed him because for the first time in a long time we would have someone very strong in the middle of the park. If you have the chance to sign Declan Rice, then you go and get him. He knows the club. I think he cheers the club, and he would bring something special to Chelsea."
Leboeuf also pointed out that the London giants lack a player of Rice's calibre at the moment:
"We have very good players here, but we don’t have monsters. We don’t have a strong guy in the middle of the park. I love Rice. He's like a tower in the middle where you can rely on him and make sure physically, tactically, technically, and mentally, the guy will be there 24/7 that’s for sure," wrote Leboeuf.
Rice has become a mainstay in midfield for both club and country in recent years.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek close to joining AC Milan
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is close to a move to AC Milan, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The English midfielder is surplus to requirements at Chelsea and is likely to be sold at the end of the season. The Rossoneri are long-term admirers of the 27-year-old and want to bring him to Serie A.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said that Milan are in advanced talks with the Blues regarding a move this summer.
"For Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Milan are in very advanced talks, from what I understand. AC Milan are really pushing on that one; negotiations are advanced between clubs; the player is open to the move," said Romano.
He continued:
"There is still time to discuss the terms of this deal between the clubs and the player's side, but the conversation is concrete; it's advanced, and so Loftus-Cheek could leave Chelsea and try a new experience in Italy with Milan leading the race."
Loftus-Cheek has two assists in 30 appearances across competitions for the London giants this season.
Andre Onana's agent coy about client's future
Andre Onana's agent Albert Botines has refused to rule out a move for his client this summer.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper is heavily linked with the Blues following an impressive season with Inter Milan. The 27-year-old has 19 clean sheets from 38 appearances across competitions this season for the Italian side.
Speaking recently, Botines insisted that Onana is happy with the Nerazzurri.
"Transfer market rumours are normal at this stage, but I prefer not to talk about it because it’s very early, and now the boy is focused only on the pitch," said Botines.
He added:
“We have a five-year contract with Inter. He has another four years on his contract, and now, he is focused only on the Serie A final and the Champions League final. He still has a long contract; don’t worry. He’s very happy; he's playing for the strongest team in Italy."
The Blues are looking for an upgrade on Kela Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy and have their eyes on Onana.