Ruben Loftus-Cheek has become a loan target for Schalke, according to The Mirror.

Despite the 22-year-old preferring to stay at Stamford Bridge, the Bundesliga club are hoping to pry him away with the promise of regular first-team football.

Maurizio Sarri started Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and Ross Barkley in his midfield three in Saturday's win over Huddersfield. And with Mateo Kovacic's arrival from Real Madrid, Loftus-Cheek is facing an uphill battle for a starting spot.

However, Tiemoue Bakayoko's loan to AC Milan means it is unlikely Chelsea will part ways with the England international.

Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were both monitoring Loftus-Cheek before the transfer window shut on August 9.