Middlesbrough are set to launch an ambitious bid to bring Chelsea starlet Reuben Loftus-Cheek to the club on a season-long loan, according to West London Sport.

Boro manager Aitor Karanka was Jose Mourinho's assistant when they were at Real Madrid, and has used his contact so far to borrow Patrick Bamford, Kenneth Omeruo and Jamal Blackman on loan previously.

Mourinho's next favour to his former colleague could be to loan him Loftus-Cheek who broke into the Chelsea first-team at the back end of last season.

The Blues boss previously indicated that the 19-year-old was part of his plans for next season, but more recently criticised the youngster for his performance in an end-of-season friendly over in Australia when the Blues took on Sydney.

A number of Championship clubs would be alerted, should the Blues confirm that the player was available for loan, but it is thought the beaten Championship play-off finalists would have the edge due to Karanka's relationship with Mourinho.

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