Crystal Palace poised to sign Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek on season-long loan
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Crystal Palace are reportedly set to land England Under-21 international midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek on a season-long loan deal, according to the Telegraph.
The Premier League side, who finished 14th in the English top-flight standings last term, seven points clear of the bottom three, have been linked with luring the Chelsea starlet to Selhurst Park for the forthcoming 2017-18 campaign.
The 21-year-old, who has featured 17 times for England’s Under-21 side, provided two assists in just 11 appearances in all competitions for The Blues last season.
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Loftus-Cheek, who has been with Chelsea since the age of eight, has played just 32 first-team games for the Premier League champions overall, scoring twice.
But after failing to start a league game last term, Blues boss Antonio Conte made the central midfielder available on loan, which attracted the likes of Palace, Southampton and newly promoted duo Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion.
However, the report suggests Loftus-Cheek will become new manager Frank de Boer’s first addition at Selhurst Park this summer, with confirmation expected within the next 24 hours.