Southampton are set to battle Newcastle and Brighton to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

According to the Mirror, Southampton are confident of completing the deal, bringing him in on a season-long loan.

He would become Southampton’s second signing of the summer, following Jan Bednerak in the door.

Loftus-Cheek played 11 times for Chelsea last season – six in the Premier League – which was down from the 17 appearances he made in the 2015/16 campaign.

The 21-year-old has featured 32 times for Chelsea over the last three seasons, scoring twice.

He now looks like he could make his first move away from Stamford Bridge, having been with the Blues his whole career thus far.

Crystal Palace are also said to be keen on a move for the midfielder.

Fellow Premier League side Brighton are also close to signing a player on loan from Chelsea. Izzy Brown looks set for a season-long spell with the seaside outfit.