Stoke City have entered the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan, according to the Sun. The 20 year old has been given permission to leave the Blues this month by manager Antonio Conte with West Ham and Championship leaders Brighton both also interested in a deal.
The England Under 21 international has struggled for game time under Conte this season with the Italian preferring Nathaniel Cholobah ahead of him in the pecking order. He has managed just two appearances this campaign despite having made a breakthrough into the first team last year with 17 appearances in all competitions.
Chelsea boss Conte is believed to be keen for Loftus-Cheek to become a first team regular whilst out on loan and Hammers boss Slaven Bilic may have to guarantee a certain amount of game time to the midfielder if he doesn’t want to lose out on the player to either the Potters or the Seagulls.
