• England midfielder could return to Stamford Bridge
• Chelsea looking for cover for injured Michael Essien
Chelsea are understood to be planning a season-long loan move for West Ham’s Scott Parker.
The England midfielder, who left Chelsea for Newcastle in 2005, had been linked with permanent moves to Tottenham and Aston Villa. However, West Ham favour a loan deal, with Parker returning to the club next season should they gain promotion from the Championship.
Chelsea are looking to bolster their midfield after losing Michael Essien to injury until after Christmas.
The West Ham co-owner David Sullivan told Sky Sports News that his club would favour a temporary move.
“We would love a deal where we loan him out for the season for a substantial fee and then when we get promotion he comes back to us. That would appeal to us because we love Scott.
“We would obviously want a loan fee because he has substantial value and has three or four years left of his career. They would probably be getting the best of those three of four years. He is at the absolute peak of his game at the moment and is playing out of his skin.”
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