According to reports, Roma are set to allow Antonio Rudiger to move to Chelsea in order to bring PSG’s Gregory van der Wiel and Lyon’s Samuel Umtiti to the club in the summer.
According to Il Tempo (via Football Italia), Chelsea target Antonio Rudiger will be allowed to leave Roma in the summer. The Italian capital club are set to activate Rudiger’s release clause from VfB Stuttgart, which is a reported €9 million, and immediately sell him for a rumoured €30 million.
The 23-year-old is on loan at Il Giallorossi from the Bundesliga side. Prior to his move to Roma last summer, Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for the German defender after their initial attempts to lure John Stones to Stamford Bridge had failed, but the Blues were too late as Roma stepped in and Chelsea had to settle for Nantes’ Papy Djilobodji.
According to the report, Rudiger’s move will also allow Roma to raise funds and make space for Lyon’s Samuel Umtiti and PSG’s Gregory van der Wiel. The report further states that Umtiti’s asking price could go up to €20 million.
Umtiti has been a target for the Italian giants for a while now, as they look to replace Rudiger. The 22-year-old had a good season with Lyon and was recently called up to France’s squad to replace Jeremy Mathieu for the upcoming European Championships in June. The versatile Frenchman can be deployed at left-back or centre-back, much like Rudiger himself.
This move would also make place in the team for Dutchman Gregory van der Wiel. The right-back is available for free in the summer and Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia) report that Van Der Wiel is set for a move to Italy. Roma beat off competition from Inter Milan and have acquired his services on a 3-year contract. After coming through the fabled Ajax youth ranks, the defender moved to PSG in 2012.
Roma’s defensive merry-go-round
Rudiger has been known to play at right-back and centre-back in his career and the acquisition of Van Der Wiel and Umtiti would provide added depth in those positions. Rudiger’s departure will allow Roma to provide assurances to another Chelsea target, Kostas Manolas. The German international is reportedly going to be sold so Roma can keep other Chelsea targets like Radja Nainggolan, Miralem Pjanic and Kostas Manolas on their roster.
Rudiger’s departure would automatically mean Manolas staying, which in turn would be a huge blow to Premier League giants Manchester United. The Greek international emerged as a target for the Red Devils after his impressive performances for Il Giallorossi this campaign. United lacked depth in defence this season, with midfielder Daley Blind playing at centre-back alongside the much improved Chris Smalling. It now seems as if United and Jose Mourinho will have to look elsewhere to strengthen their squad as they look to re-establish themselves at the top of English football once again.
