Lazio ‘line up transfer for Chelsea star Loftus-Cheek to replace Man Utd target Milinkovic-Savic’

LAZIO are lining up a transfer for Chelsea ace Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to reports.

The Italian side are expecting star man Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to leave the club this summer, meaning they'll be in the market for a replacement.

Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and is enjoying arguably his best season.

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri will be sorry to see him go, but could replace him with an old favourite.

According to , Loftus-Cheek is Sarri's dream signing.

The midfielder was a regular during the Italian's sole season at Stamford Bridge - scoring 10 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions.

He will have just one year remaining on his Chelsea contract come the summer.

Lazio feel he has similar qualities to Milinkovic-Savic.

A move for Lotus-Cheek could depend on whether they secure European football this season.

Sarri's side are sixth in Serie A with four games remaining - two points behind fifth-placed Roma but only one one above eighth side Atalanta.

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The money secured by qualifying for the Europa League would help fund a move for the 26-year-old.

Loftus-Cheek has made a first-team resurgence at Chelsea of late.

But his future remains up in the air.

Boss Thomas Tuchel recently urged him "discover the monster" within.

The German said: "He needs to push himself to the limit; he needs to be physical.

He needs to discover this monster in him

Thomas Tuchel

"Had a bit of a shy game against Arsenal, like everyone. A calm first-half against Crystal Palace and stepped up in the second-half physically and with ball recoveries and dribbles.

"Suddenly the crowd was there too. This is what we demand from him. He is a calm person.

"He needs to discover this monster in him and unleash this on a regular basis because it is absolutely necessary.

"It is not enough to be just on the pitch. Maybe if you regard his last years, it may seem good because he is a regular but this is not enough.

"We cannot let him think it is enough, he needs to constantly push himself.

"We try every day and are quite successful given his development. He needs to understand how much potential he has and unleash this physical capacity on the daily.

"In training he cannot let loose. He needs to be under pressure and play every game like a cup final."