Insider: England star opens door to Aston Villa switch
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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Fri 26 September 2025 6:30, UK
AC Milan star Ruben Loftus-Cheek has opened the door to a return to the Premier League with Aston Villa on his list of admirers, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the 29-year-old is interested in leaving AC Milan in the January window.
As a result, Unai Emery‘s side are believed to be among the potential suitors for him, while West Ham have been long-term admirers of Loftus-Cheek.
Since his departure from Chelsea in 2023, the midfielder has made 74 appearances for AC Milan, and has started five of their six games in all competitions this season.
However, after Thomas Tuchel called Loftus-Cheek into his last England squad, there is a feeling a return to the Premier League could see him go to the World Cup.
Credit: Imago
Aston Villa endured a difficult transfer window, leaving Emery with a number of areas in his squad which still need improving after thei poor start to the season.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, questioned the extent of their interest in Loftus-Cheek, but explained he would be open to the move.
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“Tuchel has shown faith in Loftus-Cheek bringing him back in,” he told Football Insider.
“I’m doubtful about whether he could be part of the World Cup squad given the quality players in his position, but he does have a chance.
“He’s always showed a lot of promise and at his best he can be excellent, but for me he’s never quite hit the levels people expected of him, even though he’s clearly got a lot of talent.
“Since his move to AC Milan, he’s done well, and Tuchel obviously sees something in him.
“The qualities he’s got could be an asset to a lot of sides, there’s no doubting that, it’s just about whether he’s going to perform consistently enough.
Credit: Imago
“There’s been some talk of a move to Aston Villa, but I’m not sure he’s the player they need right now, he might be better off somewhere else.
“I think it’s something he’s open to, he wants to come back to the Premier League, to compete and potentially put himself in the [England] manager’s thinking.
“I’m sure if Aston Villa came calling, it’s a move he’d like to make, but I am doubtful about whether they’d push for that one at the moment.”
Aston Villa are considered unlikely to push for the midfielder’s signing, but they are not the only suitors for him, which could allow another club to swoop in.
Loftus-Cheek was a surprise inclusion in the England squad to face Andorra and Serbia following Adam Wharton‘s forced absence through injury.
His performances under the England boss during their time together at Chelsea were a key factor, but the boss spoke glowingly about his qualities and role in the side.
Speaking following his decision, Tuchel explained: “It was always a pleasure to work with him… He is full of quality.
Sometimes I’m not sure if he is aware of how good he is and how good he can be, but he fits in seamlessly because of his character and quality.” [BBC]
Whether he would be a contender for the World Cup squad is debatable given the quality in his position, but the manager’s comments have given him hope.
As a result, there is a feeling that a return to English football with the likes of Aston Villa in January would put him in a stronger place to cement his role in the squad.
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