Tottenham are reportedly keen on signing Antonio Rudiger, as Chelsea prepare to offer the defender a new deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
According to reports from Football Insider, Chelsea are currently lining up new contract talks with Antonio Rudiger, but Tottenham are on alert if the new deal falls through.
The German defender has reinvented himself at the heart of Chelsea’s defence under new coach Thomas Tuchel and that has changed the stance on his future with the Blues. Chelsea want to keep Rudiger after his impressive performances in recent games and are set to offer the defender a new long-term contract in the summer.
The player himself wants his future to be sorted out before the transfer window opens and it is likely that he will sign a new deal if Chelsea agree to his wage demands. Rudiger’s contract expires in the summer and thus, the onus is on the club to tie him down quickly rather than losing him for free.
Tottenham are on the lookout for a new central defender, as Eric Dier has not been up to the standards required by Jose Mourinho. Spurs came really close to signing Rudiger last summer and were hopeful of reaching a deal in the closing stages of the window. However, Chelsea’s demand of a £4 million loan fee as well as covering all of his £150,000 a-week wages, was deemed to be too high by Tottenham and hence, the move did not take place.
Spurs moved on and signed Joe Rodon from Swansea City for £11 million as a backup option. However, Rodon has failed to live up to the expectations at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mourinho has also shown interest in out-of-favour Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao and the former Chelsea boss is currently working on a deal to sign the Brazilian defender in the summer.
Rudiger struggled for game-time under Frank Lampard but has started every single game in the Premier League since Tuchel took charge at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea manager considers the German international a key component of his defence and will want his future to be sorted out at the earliest.
It remains to be seen if Rudiger accepts a new contract from his current employers or leaves Chelsea for a new challenge with Tottenham in the upcoming transfer window.