OPINION
Earlier this summer Newcastle expressed an interest in signing England World Cup star Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to the Shields Gazette.
Now, with the midfielder willing to seek a move away from Chelsea if he is not given assurances over his game time, it’s time for the Magpies to re-enter the fray.
The 22-year-old will not agitate for a move before the English transfer window closes next Thursday, but will instead wait to see how much game time he is given at the start of the season before deciding whether to make a temporary move abroad or not.
The player’s willingness to wait for confirmation on his minutes should not stop Newcastle from enquiring about his services, however. Loftus-Cheek played his way into England’s World Cup squad while on loan at Crystal Palace last season, and impressed further while in Russia.
If Chelsea are unwilling to use him as a regular first-team player then Newcastle must make it known that they are keen on taking the midfielder for the season. It’s worth the club finding out the Blues’ stance on the player, at least.
Rafael Benitez’s side brought in Ki Sung-yeung on a free from Swansea City earlier this summer, but they are not inundated with talented central midfielders. Ki, Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame and Matt Ritchie are the only real options for Benitez at present, with Isaac Hayden looking for a move away from St James’s Park.
Some quality is definitely needed in the middle of the park, and Loftus-Cheek has that in abundance. The Shields Gazette’s report states that Benitez is a known admirer of the player, having tried to bring him in for Newcastle’s Championship-winning season.
The club must voice their interest to Chelsea and see where new manager Maurizio Sarri stands on the midfielder’s future. If the Magpies are able to bring the 22-year-old to St James’s Park then it would be a tremendous coup, and one that would lift the supporter’s sagging morale.
