A Rud awakening
Chelsea complete transfer of Roma defender Rudiger
LONDON: Chelsea have completed their move for £ 30mil (RM168mil) AS Roma defender Antonio Rudiger, according to reports.
Antonio Conte had been eager to land a defender in the summer transfer window as he plans for next season’s English Premier League title defence.
The Blues have been linked with a £100mil (RM559mil) move for Juventus pair Leonardo Bonucci and Alex Sandro.
But now it seems the Italian boss has turned his attention to the Germany star – with SunSport saying Sandro will snub the Premier League champions to land a new £93,000 (RM520,000)-a-week deal at Juventus.
However, it turns out that Kostas Manolas’ Zenit St Petersburg saga could play directly into the Stamford Bridge manager’s hands.
The Roma defender failed to turn up for his medical with the Russian side.
That was despite a £ 30mil (RM168mil) deal being agreed with Roberto Mancini’s club.
Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol tweeted: “Chelsea in talks with Roma for defender Antonio Rudiger.
“Roma will let him go for £30mil now that Manolas has turned down move to Zenit.”
Chelsea were also linked with a move for Manolas but it remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old Greek star will be willing to leave the Serie A side.
Rudiger joined Roma from Stuttgart in 2015 and can be used as a centreback and fullback.
He has 16 caps for Die Mannschaft and represented the country at every level from the Under-18s.
Rudiger has starred for Joachim Loew’s side in the Confederations Cup, where they will contest the final against Chile.
He is contracted to Roma until 2020. — The Sun, London