Tottenham are reportedly showing an interest in signing Chelsea outcast Antonio Rudiger, who is also a target for PSG, Barcelona and AS Roma.
According to a report by Goal, Tottenham have joined the race to sign Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea before the summer transfer window slams shut. The German international is also being courted by the likes of PSG, Barcelona and AS Roma.
Rudiger joined Chelsea from AS Roma in the summer of 2017 and has since been in and out of the side due to various issues. While the 27-year-old has produced a number of impressive displays at the back for the Blues, he has also been prone to making needless errors, something that has seen him slip down the pecking order under Frank Lampard.
The arrival of Thiago Silva has impacted his stature in the first-team setup further and the German centre-back is yet to feature for Chelsea this season. Indeed, it now looks like the likes of Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori are all set to stay, with Rudiger being the player who will be axed from the squad. And, Tottenham are interested in swooping him away from Chelsea.
At Tottenham, Jose Mourinho is managing a transitioning squad, that has lost an experienced central defender in Jan Vertonghen. The former Chelsea boss does have as many as five recognised options at his disposal for the heart of the defence, but a closer look explains the need for another centre-back.
Juan Foyth has been out of favour at Tottenham ever since Mourinho arrived at the club and is now being linked with a move to Villarreal. Meanwhile Japhet Tanganga is promising but lacks experience and is likely to be eased into the role of a regular. Meanwhile, Toby Alderweireld is on the wrong side of 30.
As a result, it is clear why Mourinho is after a centre-back, with Rudiger emerging as a viable target. Having said that, despite Rudiger’s declining stature within their squad, Chelsea might choose not to sell to a direct rival, meaning Tottenham could be beaten to the player’s capture, with the likes of PSG, Barcelona and AS Roma also interested.
While PSG are scouring for a replacement for Thiago Silva, Barcelona are transitioning to a younger squad while Roma could have been forced to turn their attention towards the Chelsea defender, with their move for Chris Smalling hitting a roadblock.
Meanwhile, there are suggestions that Chelsea could even let Rudiger leave on loan, provided he signs a contract extension before departing temporarily. For now, it remains to be seen if Tottenham can coax Chelsea into selling Rudiger to them, with the player out of favour at Stamford Bridge.
