AC Milan Prepared To Sell Ruben Loftus-Cheek In January

AC Milan Prepared To Sell Ruben Loftus-Cheek In January: What It Means for the Rossoneri and the Midfielder’s Future

Published: December 11, 2025

In a surprising twist ahead of the January transfer window, AC Milan are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek — a decision that has sent shockwaves through Serie A and transfer desks across Europe. [source]

The 29-year-old English international, once a key creative spark for the Rossoneri, has struggled for consistent game time this season. Despite being a versatile presence capable of operating in several midfield roles, Loftus-Cheek has found starts hard to come by — featuring predominantly from the bench in Serie A. [source]

Why Milan Are Willing to Sell

Limited Playing Time: Loftus-Cheek’s minutes have been restricted this term, with a majority of his 12 league appearances coming off the bench. [source]
Contract Situation: With his AC Milan contract running until 2027, now represents a practical moment for the club to cash in rather than risk losing him later for less. [source]
Strategic Squad Planning: Milan are actively planning reinforcements for January, especially in attacking areas — a move that could require trimming other parts of the squad to balance numbers and wages. [source]

Reports from Italian outlets suggest that Milan could set a €20 million asking price for Loftus-Cheek — a figure that could attract interest from the Premier League and other top leagues, although nothing has been finalized yet. [source]

Where Could He Go? Premier League Return?

Interest back in England seems plausible. Italian journalist reports indicate that two unnamed Premier League clubs are eyeing Loftus-Cheek — with Newcastle United among the linked sides — as he seeks more playing time and a platform to boost his England national team prospects ahead of future international tournaments. [source]

Swap Talk and Transfer Noise

In addition to straightforward sales rumors, Italian journalist Matteo Moretto has floated the idea of a potential swap deal involving Loftus-Cheek heading to Napoli in exchange for striker Lorenzo Lucca — a strategy Milan might employ to bring in attacking firepower without purely cash spending. [source]

However, it’s worth noting that other reports contradict this angle, claiming there’s no real swap deal in motion and Napoli aren’t pursuing Loftus-Cheek at this stage. [source]

What This Means for Milan

Freeing up space — both on the pitch and in the wage bill — to pursue attackers or midfielders more aligned with the tactical vision.
Refresh the squad — a winter shake-up often breathes life into a campaign, especially if key areas are underperforming.
Focus on Serie A and Europe — bolstering their squad depth in goal-threat positions could help Milan maintain their competitive edge on both fronts. [source]

For Loftus-Cheek, A Fresh Start Could Be Key

At 29, Ruben Loftus-Cheek still has plenty to offer at a high level. A move in January — whether back to England or elsewhere in Europe — might be the reset he needs to reignite his career and affirm his status as both a club and international performer.