DEAL CLOSE
Chelsea are in ‘advanced talks’ with AC Milan over a loan deal for out-of-favour defender Fikayo Tomori, with an option to buy, according to reports.
The 23-year-old enjoyed an impressive breakthrough for the Blues last season, having returned to the club after a brilliant loan spell at Derby - where he was named player of the season - under Frank Lampard's tutelage.
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But he has fallen out of favour with Lampard during his second season, having made just four first-team appearances, and Lampard has given club chiefs the nod to let the one-cap England international depart.
AC Milan contacted Chelsea over a possible move for Tomori earlier this month, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who claims talks have now progressed and the Serie A club are hoping to complete a deal in the coming days.
The move is set to be a loan with the option to buy, with Chelsea reportedly setting their price at £26.4million (€30m) if they want to sign him permanently, but it will NOT be an obligation for the Italians.
Newcastle United and Leeds have also emerged as options for Tomori, but these reports suggest he is edging closer to a Serie A switch.
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AC Milan’s director of football Frederic Massara is said to be a big admirer of Tomori, having tracked the versatile defender since his days at previous club Roma.
It is also claimed the player is keen to make the switch, if a deal can be agreed between the two clubs.
Earlier this month Lampard insisted Tomori’s long-term future remained with Chelsea, despite the club giving Milan the option to sign him in a permanent deal.
“Fikayo Tomori absolutely has a long-term future at this club, and we'll see if and when he goes on loan,” said Lampard.
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“The moment I got close to Fikayo was when I took him to Derby with me and he was Player of the Year there and one of the best players in the Championship that year in my opinion.
“And then he came back and played 20-plus games for us at a very young age last year and got in the England squad.
"There's an absolute long-term plan for Fikayo in my head about his career here. And if it's to go and play games it's to absolutely enhance his personal development.
“Hopefully he can help whatever team he goes to, because that will come hand in hand, and then come back to us a better player.”