Scott Parker would be keen to make Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s move to Fulham permanent next season should there be an opportunity to do a deal with Chelsea.
The 25-year-old midfielder has found his feet on loan at Craven Cottage in recent weeks following a rusty start to the season, stemming from his long lay-off after the achilles injury sustained at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
Loftus-Cheek last week said that he is planning to return to Chelsea in June, where he is under contract until the summer of 2024, but he appears low down the pecking order – especially if Thomas Tuchel sticks with a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Should Loftus-Cheek be made available by the club he joined as an eight-year-old, Parker would jump at the opportunity of keeping him at Fulham permanently.
“Yes, of course,” the Fulham head coach said when asked if he will attempt to change the England international’s mind.
“Ruben has been a fantastic addition. I’ve seen someone grow immensely from the start of the season to a person and player now who has transformed. He’s grown massively and been a massive help for us.
“At the moment it’s just about this year for Ruben, focus on the next 10 games and where he can still get better. But at the end if there’s an opportunity to get it done I’d be more than happy to.”
There would be little chance of that happening if Fulham are relegated back to the Championship but they host Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow evening following a run of five games without defeat.
A win over Jose Mourinho’s side would pull them out of the bottom three on goal difference. However, Parker said that there is concern over the potential of his squad being much-changed next season regardless of which division they are in.
Six loanees started last weekend’s draw away to Crystal Palace, including three members of the front four, with the club mindful of financial fair play restrictions and focusing on temporary deals in the past two windows.
“It could be [dismantled], there is that possibility,” he added. “The decisions you make as a newly-promoted club are to try and stay in the division. I thought we got the balance well.”