Tottenham could reignite Antonio Rudiger transfer interest in Chelsea twist

Tottenham could reignite their interest in Antonio Rudiger if the defender doesn’t sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea centre-back is locked in a stalemate with the club as he holds out for a bumper new deal.

Rudiger has become a key figure under Thomas Tuchel at the heart of the Chelsea defence but is out of contract next summer.

The Germany international is after £200,000 a week, according to ESPN, but club chiefs are only willing to pay him around £150,000.

If Rudiger refuses to sign a new deal before the turn of the year, club chiefs may well cash in on the player in January to avoid losing him for free next summer.

Overseas clubs will be allowed to talk to the defender in the new year, while Spurs could come forward with a fresh offer.

Tottenham spoke to Rudiger during Jose Mourinho’s spell in charge and are thought to remain interested, despite signing Cristian Romero from Atalanta this summer.

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“I was close [to leaving],” Rudiger said when questioned about his future in March.

“There were really two teams, maybe one team I was considering – that was PSG to be honest.

“There was [a] call also with Mourinho, but this is something at the end of the day that didn’t happen.”

Tuchel was in charge of Paris Saint-Germain when Rudiger piqued the interest of the Ligue 1 side and has since illustrated his views on the centre-back by making him key to his plans at Stamford Bridge.

“At the end of the day, I cannot give myself a contract. So that’s why I have to wait to see what happens.

“Whatever happens I love being at Chelsea – so Chelsea will always be my priority number one.”

Since making those comments, Rudiger has gone on to lift the Champions League trophy and become a mainstay in a tantalising Chelsea defence.

Rudiger’s stock has clearly risen in the last eight months and the likes of PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona could all be keen on the player if they can get him for nothing.

But the player is apparently keen on remaining in London and so if he doesn’t sign a new deal with Chelsea, Spurs could be primed to swoop for the German.