Chelsea face competition from rivals to sign top £35m defender – report
Chelsea will have to see off competition from Manchester City to sign AS Roma defender Antonio Rudiger, according to reports
Chelsea are facing competition from Premier League title rivals Manchester City for the signature of AS Roma defender Antonio Rudiger, according to reports in the English media.
The Daily Mirror is reporting that the Premier League champions were clear favourites to sign the 24-year-old centre-half in the summer transfer window after it emerged on Friday that the Germany international was a target for Blues boss Antonio Conte.
The same article states that Chelsea’s rivals Manchester City are now interested in the defender which complicates the situation for the west London club as Conte looks to get a second transfer deal over the line this summer.
According to the Mirror, Manchester City have also been scouting the promising Serie A defender over the past couple of months and are ready to compete with Chelsea for the centre-half for a fee of around £35m.
In what will be worrying news for fans of the Premier League title holders, the Citizens are prepared to move fast to win the race to sign the Roma star.
Chelsea won the Premier League title in their first season under Conte but the Blues have only been able to sign Manchester City number two Willy Caballero in the summer transfer window so far.
