West Ham and Newcastle lining up loan move for Chelsea defender Tomori

Chelsea centre-back Fikayo Tomori is set to go out on loan for a fourth time in January, according to reports.

The 22-year-old has made just one Premier League appearance this season and is reportedly a target for top flight rivals West Ham and Newcastle United.

Tomori is hungry for regular first team starts and made 15 PL appearances last term before Chelsea went on their summer spending spree following the end of their FIFA-imposed transfer ban.

He spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Derby County during Frank Lampard’s tenure and helped the Rams to the Championship play-off final.

The Blues are also keen for the academy graduate to secure regular football at the top level, and moves to the London Stadium and St James Park would provide that, with several other clubs linked with a loan move.

Tomori came close to signing for the Hammers during the summer transfer window, only to turn down a loan move at the 11th hour, choosing to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place.

Everton were also believed to be interested in Tomori over the summer before signing Ben Godfrey instead.

Tomori, who joined the Blues as an Under-8 player, has also enjoyed loan spells with Brighton and Hull City.

He broke into Chelsea’s first team last season but has since slipped down the pecking order of centre-backs, particularly since the arrival of Thiago Silva.