Chelsea Transfers: Antonio Rudiger Set For Medical In £31 Million Move
Blues close on first summer signing.
Roma and Germany defender Antonio Rudiger will reportedly undergo a medical on Sunday ahead of a £31 million move to Chelsea.
The Daily Mail has reported that the 24-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge since the start of the transfer window, is close to penning a five-year deal with the Premier League Champions.
The Italians are said to have agreed to part with the centre-back for an initial outlay of £31 million, although the fee could eventually rise to £35 million if additional clauses are met.
Blues boss Antonio Conte, who has so far endured a frustrating transfer window, has been in the market for new defenders to shore up his back-line, despite its rock-solid record in his maiden title-winning season.
Rudiger will join David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta as the team's senior centre-halves, with Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro - who is priced at £60 million - also targeted to provide competition to Marcos Alonso.
With Conte said to be growing uneasy at the club's lack of business, the Chelsea hierarchy will be eager to close their deals as quickly as possible - particularly as rivals Manchester United prepare unveil the signing of long-term Blues target Romelu Lukaku.
And Rudiger, whose season has just finished after he helped Germany win the Confederations Cup in Russia, looks likely to be the first one over the line.