{"id":297168,"date":"2026-01-22T06:32:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T06:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/297168\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T06:32:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T06:32:16","slug":"man-utd-left-with-transfer-dilemma-as-premier-league-rivals-make-approach-for-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/297168\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd left with transfer dilemma as Premier League rivals &#8216;make approach&#8217; for star"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester United were linked with a surprise loan move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek earlier this week but Aston Villa are now sniffing around the former Chelsea midfielder<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_GettyImages-2251555291.jpg\" alt=\"Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan\" loading=\"eager\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Aston Villa have enquired about Ruben Loftus-Cheek\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Aston Villa have enquired about Ruben Loftus-Cheek(Image: Claudio Villa\/AC Milan via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Aston Villa are said to have made an enquiry for <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/ruben-loftus-cheek\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Ruben Loftus-CheekLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Ruben Loftus-Cheek<\/a> &#8211; just days after the former <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/chelsea-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ChelseaLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Chelsea<\/a> midfielder was &#8216;offered&#8217; to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-united-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Manchester UnitedLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Manchester United<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Loftus-Cheek, 29, is no stranger to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/premier-league\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Premier LeagueLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Premier League<\/a> teams after coming through the academy ranks at Stamford Bridge and boasts over 150 top-flight appearances to his name from his time with the Blues and loan spells at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/crystal-palace-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Crystal Palace<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fulham-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Fulham<\/a>. The midfielder, who was handed an England recall by <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/thomas-tuchel\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Thomas TuchelLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Thomas Tuchel<\/a> last September, moved to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/ac-milan\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"AC MilanLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">AC Milan<\/a> in the summer of 2023.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Loftus-Cheek has gone on to make over 90 appearances for the Italian giants but <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/transfer-news-live-man-utd-36573370\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"could be loaned out this monthLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">could be loaned out this month<\/a> after falling down the pecking order at the San Siro, with Villa now considering a move to bring him in.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong> <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootball\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football&#8217;s Facebook page<\/strong><\/a><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/transfer-news-live-man-utd-36573370\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36573370\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal make Nwaneri U-turn, Liverpool target Real Madrid star, Man Utd suffer blow<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/man-united-roy-keane-response-36589439\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36589439\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Man Utd send perfect Jonny Evans response after brutal Roy Keane rant<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6988129\/2026\/01\/21\/aston-villa-ruben-loftus-cheek-transfer\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"The AthleticLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">The Athletic<\/a> report that Boubacar Kamara&#8217;s serious knee injury &#8211; which is likely to keep the Frenchman out for the rest of the season &#8211; may see them attempt to bring in another midfielder on loan, with Loftus-Cheek among those in the frame.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Villa were courting Loftus-Cheek&#8217;s former Chelsea team-mate, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/conor-gallagher\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Conor GallagherLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Conor Gallagher<\/a>, earlier this month, only for <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/tottenham-hotspur-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"TottenhamLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Tottenham<\/a> to sign the England star from Atletico Madrid in a permanent deal. Loftus-Cheek, if signed, represent a ready-made replacement for the injured Kamara with Premier League pedigree.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Loftus-Cheek.jpg\" alt=\"Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek celebrate the victory during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"The former Chelsea man was linked with Manchester United earlier this week\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The former Chelsea man was linked with Manchester United earlier this week(Image: (Photo by Mairo Cinquetti\/NurPhoto via Getty Images))<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The latest developments at Villa Park could have a knock-on affect at Manchester United, who have also been tipped to bring in midfield reinforcements via the loan market.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/football\/3919483\/transfer-news-lampard-glasner-tottenham-carrick-man-utd-chelsea-fulham-wilson\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"TalkSPORTLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">TalkSPORT<\/a> claimed earlier this week that United had been <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/man-utd-january-targets-loftuscheek-36583820\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"&#039;offered&#039; the chance to sign Loftus-Cheek on loanLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">&#8216;offered&#8217; the chance to sign Loftus-Cheek on loan<\/a>, though it is unclear if the Red Devils have any interest in doing such a deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While talks were described as &#8216;exploratory&#8217;, Villa&#8217;s interest could force United&#8217;s hand into making a decision if they do want to bolster their squad with Loftus-Cheek, who is said to be keen on the idea of a return to the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Manchester United are expected to focus on an overhaul of their midfield in the summer, where they will also decide on a new permanent head coach after handing Michael Carrick a contract which runs until the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror Football<\/strong> content. 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