Aston Villa weighing up move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek  | OneFootball

Aston Villa are weighing up a move for AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to The Telegraph.

Villa manager Unai Emery is seeking to shore up his midfield options, having been recently hit hard by Boubacar Kamara’s devastating knee injury, which will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Since the appointment of Max Allegri as manager, Loftus-Cheek has struggled for consistent opportunities.

This has fuelled talk of an exit, and Milan are open to a permanent sale as his contract expires in 2027.

Villa could step up their quest to sign Loftus-Cheek after missing out on Conor Gallagher, who joined Tottenham from Atletico Madrid in a £34 million switch earlier this month.

Serie A outfit Lazio have also been linked with a move for Loftus-Cheek this winter as Maurizio Sarri targets a reunion with him following their time together at Chelsea.

However, the allure of playing European football should work in Villa’s favour. They are currently in the Europa League.

Villa are also on course for a return to Champions League football next season as they sit third in the Premier League.

While midfield reinforcements are the primary objective between now and the end of the winter transfer window, Villa are also expected to sign a new striker after parting ways with Donyell Malen.

Tammy Abraham has been linked with a return to Villa Park for a second spell, but they are also interested in Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.