Chelsea are eyeing up the possibility of acquiring the services of Germany and Roma centre-back, Antonio Rudiger in the summer for £30 million, the Daily Mail have claimed.
With the German international set to start in Dortmund against England tonight, it has been reported that Chelsea have sent scouts to attend the game and keep a watchful eye on the defender.
However, there are reportedly a number of English clubs that are admirers of Rudiger, including both Manchester United and Manchester City.
Speculation has been sparked over his future in Rome due to racial abuse that he has received twice this season. In December, Lazio defender Senad Lulic racially abused Rudiger in a post-match interview, after Roma had claimed a 2-0 win over their bitter rivals. Subsequently, Lulic has been banned for 20 days and fined 10,000 euros.
Even as recently as this month, in the second game against Lazio in Rome, the Lazio fans shouted abuse at him from the stands. Obviously, the player is unhappy with the treatment he is receiving in Italy, and it seems he is searching for a move to an English club this summer.
Roma intend to ask for at least £30 million for the German defender, and Antonio Conte, who won three consecutive titles at Juventus, is extremely knowledgeable in regards to the talent the 24-year old possesses.
With the knowledge of how successful Conte has been, the attraction to Chelsea for Rudiger seems evident, and with the Blues willing to pay a generous fee for the player, a move in the summer could very well materialise.
