Aston Villa are actively exploring a potential loan move for AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as the club grapples with a mounting injury crisis in midfield. This development comes amid serious concerns that key player Boubacar Kamara could be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained during an FA Cup match.
Midfield Reinforcements Sought After Kamara Blow
The potential pursuit of Loftus-Cheek signals Villa's urgent need to bolster their midfield options. Kamara, who joined Villa on a free transfer from Marseille in 2022, has become arguably the team's most pivotal player under manager Unai Emery. Statistics reveal that Villa have lost only two of the matches he has started this season, underscoring his importance to the side.
This latest setback is particularly cruel for the 26-year-old French international, who previously endured an eight-month absence in 2024 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. Emery has expressed fears that Kamara faces another lengthy spell on the treatment table, creating a significant void in Villa's engine room.
Loftus-Cheek Emerges as a Prime Target
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the former Chelsea midfielder who made a high-profile move to Serie A with AC Milan in 2023, has been identified as a suitable candidate to help fill the gap. Despite making only nine starts for Milan this campaign, the 28-year-old has been a regular feature in their squad and brings valuable Premier League experience from previous loan spells at Crystal Palace and Fulham.
His credentials were further highlighted by a recall to the England squad in September 2025, ending a six-year international absence, though he was omitted from the most recent camp in November. Villa's interest appears to be driven by both his availability and their need to navigate strict Profitability and Sustainability Regulations, making a loan deal the most financially viable option.
Villa's Broader Transfer Strategy
The midfield injury woes extend beyond Kamara. Club captain John McGinn was forced off during Sunday's defeat to Everton, while Amadou Onana was also absent through injury. Although Onana and Ross Barkley are expected to return within the next fortnight, the situation has accelerated Villa's search for reinforcements.
Villa had previously registered interest in England midfielder Conor Gallagher, who recently joined Tottenham from Atlético Madrid, indicating their ongoing focus on strengthening the midfield department. The potential move for Loftus-Cheek represents a pragmatic alternative as the club scours the market for available talent.
Striker Search Intensifies
Parallel to their midfield concerns, Aston Villa are also in the market for an established striker following the sale of Donyell Malen to Roma. Among their identified targets are Tammy Abraham and Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has informed his current club of his desire to leave.
Additionally, the club is working to terminate Harvey Elliott's loan arrangement as part of their broader squad restructuring efforts. This dual focus on both midfield and attacking reinforcements highlights Villa's ambitious approach to the transfer window as they aim to maintain their competitive edge despite financial constraints and injury setbacks.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Villa's recruitment team as they attempt to secure Loftus-Cheek's services on loan while simultaneously addressing their striking options, all against the backdrop of a challenging injury situation that threatens to derail their season ambitions.
