Chelsea have submitted a £12.8 million bid for Germany international Antonio Rudiger, according to the Express. The Stuttgart star has had interest from a number of top European sides including Porto and Wolfsburg but has expressed a desire to join the Premier League Champions. The 22-year-old played 35 times for Die Roten last season and established himself as one of the best defensive prospects in Europe, making his senior debut for the national team in May 2014. Jose Mourinho is looking to boost his side's squad with the aim to be able to compete in all competitions next season and with Real Madrid's Rafael Varane looking unobtainable the Stuttgart centre half would give him a talented central defender. Rudiger who was linked with Arsenal last year is quick, strong and mature for his age and in a similar vein to Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma will only get better.
NCTJ-accredited football writer with an MA in Sports Journalism. What Culture football editor. Write for the official Newcastle United programme. Former video reporter at North News. Featured and published in the Sunderland Echo, Shields Gazette, Mail Online, The Mirror, The Sun and others.
