Chelsea transfer news: Ruben Loftus-Cheek wanted by Brighton as Antonio Conte gives green light for January loan move

CHAMPIONSHIP title hopefuls Brighton are leading the race to sign Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan this month.

Reports claim the highly-rated youngster will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the season in a bid to gain first-team experience.

Loftus-Cheek made 17 appearances for Chelsea in the previous campaign but has appeared just once in the league under Antonio Conte.

The 20-year-old also started two EFL Cup games before the Blues were dumped out of the competition by West Ham.

And the claims Conte is now keen to see Loftus-Cheek progress elsewhere, with the Italian unable to find room for him in Chelsea’s squad right now.

N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas are battling it out for the two midfield places in the starting XI, with Nathaniel Chalobah the preferred back-up.

And although West Ham are interested, Brighton are believed to be in pole position for Loftus-Cheek’s signature.

There could be a further setback for the England Under-21 star, with Chelsea reportedly trying to close a deal for Atalanta’s Franck Kessie.

The Ivorian – who is the same age as Loftus-Cheek – is a target for a number of Premier League giants but Chelsea are favourites after launching a bid last week.