According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lazio’s interest in the English midfielder is real. However, both Massimiliano Allegri and the AC Milan board have shut the door on a potential move, seeing the former Chelsea star as a non-transferable asset for the rest of the season.
The midfielder is viewed as a cornerstone of Massimiliano Allegri’s project, with the coach regularly praising the Englishman for his physical presence as well as his technical and tactical qualities. Lazio are in the market for a goal-scoring box-to-box midfielder and have strongly identified Milan’s No. 8 as a prime target, fuelled by Maurizio Sarri’s long-standing admiration dating back to their time together at Chelsea.
It was under the former Napoli boss that Ruben enjoyed his most prolific season, reaching double figures, and he has always spoken highly of Sarri’s work and expertise. However, his Milan trajectory now appears firmly back on the rise, and neither the player nor the club have any intention of parting ways -especially not during a January window in a season of such significance.
Whether deployed behind the striker or as a right-sided mezzala, Loftus-Cheek has been a constant feature in Allegri’s line-ups whenever fit. When rotation has been required, the former Fulham man has often been the first name called upon, starting six consecutive matches at one point -a clear sign of his growing importance within the Rossoneri squad.
With 11 starts already this season, he is increasingly seen as one of Allegri’s key tactical levers to add unpredictability to Milan’s midfield. Now, particularly after the arrival of Niclas Füllkrug, the Englishman is set to become one of the team’s “fixed assets”. Allegri is placing huge trust in him. At the start of the season, he openly said he expected around 15 goals combined from Loftus-Cheek and Fofana -so far, Ruben has only found the net once. He is already 29, yet he still gives the impression of a player who, thanks to his physical dominance and technical skill set, could be truly overwhelming.
The big question is whether he can consistently reach the levels he showed, particularly during his first season. One thing, however, is beyond any doubt: in January, he is going nowhere.
