Loftus-Cheek wanted by German club Schalke

German club Schalke want to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan from Chelsea.

Schalke have made their interest clear and are among a number of European clubs keen on the midfielder.

While the transfer window in England is closed, it remains open in other parts of Europe until the end of the month, meaning Premier League players can be sold or loaned to foreign clubs until then.

Loftus-Cheek spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace, where his performances earned him a place in England’s World Cup squad.

He wants to continue to playing first-team football this season but faces major competition for a place at Chelsea, who have brought in Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic this summer and also have the likes of N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas and Ross Barkley to choose from.

Loftus-Cheek came on as a second-half substitute for Barkley in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Huddersfield.

It was the 22-year-old’s 23rd Premier League appearance for Chelsea – 17 of those outings have been as a substitute.