Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger has reportedly emerged as a target for AC Milan as the Rossoneri look to shore up their defensive options.
A recent report from Calciomercato has offered an update on AC Milan’s transfer policy. It appears the Serie A giants are desperate for defensive reinforcements amid worries over the overall quality of their defensive unit and their lack of adaptability to a back-four.
As a result, the club has identified multiple players across Europe that could emerge as key targets, including Antonio Rudiger. The Chelsea defender is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, he will be available to negotiate a pre-contract agreement in January.
Formerly of AS Roma, Rudiger has been one of the most successful defenders in world football in 2021. Since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the Chelsea boss, the German has established himself as one of the finest in the Premier League, notably helping the club win the Champions League last term.
Despite such success at Stamford Bridge, the former Dortmund youth player is reportedly unhappy with Chelsea after disagreements over a new deal. It has already put a host of top clubs across Europe on alert, with AC Milan joining an elite list that includes the likes of Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Recent speculations suggest Chelsea are prepared to ward off interest from the suitors by offering a bumper new deal for Rudiger. However, there has not been any definite action yet, leading to further speculations over the German’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
AC Milan’s interest in Rudiger stems from their recent run of form. The Rossoneri have suffered back to back defeats in Serie A to Fiorentina and Sassuolo, conceding seven goals in the process. It has seen them surrendering a significant lead over their rivals Inter Milan, while there are also concerns over the long-term future of Alessio Romagnoli, a target for Barcelona.
It has forced the club to look for defensive reinforcements in the market. Rudiger fits the bill well due to his leadership, aggression and experience of playing in Italian football. At Milan, the German can also reunite with his former Chelsea teammates in Fikayo Tomori, Olivier Giroud and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
However, with so many clubs involved in the race to sign the Chelsea centre-back, the Serie A giants must act swiftly if they are to get their hands on Antonio Rudiger in the near future. A prolonged stay at Stamford Bridge cannot be ruled out either, given the success he has enjoyed at Chelsea over the past 12 months.
