Chelsea have opened negotiations with Roma over a summer move for Antonio Rudiger, according to the Mirror
The newspaper claimed on its transfer live blog [Saturday 10.44AM] that the Blues hope to come to an agreement with Roma for the £30million-rated 24-year-old centre-back.
It is said Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is very keen on Rudiger as he looks to bolster his defensive options this summer.
The report states that the German’s pace and power makes him exactly the kind of player that Conte wants to strengthen his squad with.
This comes after The Sun reported in April that the Blues had sent scouts to watch the player in action for Roma.
The no-nonsense defender joined the Serie A giants from Stuttgart on a permanent deal last summer, after spending the 2015-16 campaign on loan at the club.
He was a mainstay in Roma’s back line last term, making 36 appearances across all competitions.
The 24-year-old is primarily a centre-back, but he is also comfortable at right-back and at left-back.
Rudiger has been capped by Germany on 16 occasions, and he is currently on duty with his nation at the Confederations Cup.
He has played in three of his country’s four Confederations Cup matches, and he featured for the full 90 minutes in the 4-1 semi-final win over Mexico.