West Ham and Bournemouth favourites to sign Chelsea midfielder

Popular bookmakers Skybet have listed Premier League outfit West Ham as being the second favorites to sign Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Slaven Bilic’s side lie only below Bournemouth, who stand at 5/2 as favorites to sign the 21-year-old. After not being given many first team opportunities at Chelsea since making his senior team debut in 2004, Loftus-Cheek is likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer as he looks to kick start his career elsewhere.

West Ham are in need of new midfielders ahead of next season. Their long-serving captain Mark Noble was largely disappointing throughout last season and the club needs to bring in new recruits to challenge the 30-year-old for a place in the team.

Loftus-Cheek, who has spent his entire football career at Chelsea, was not trusted to start under Jose Mourinho.

After Guus Hiddink was appointed on an interim basis following Mourinho’s sacking in December 2015, the Dutchman showed faith in the youngster and handed him 10 Premier League appearances during his short stint as manager. Under Antonio Conte, Loftus-Cheek looks to be surplus to requirements.