According to The Mirror, Manchester United is interested in signing Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer this summer.
The Red Devils have had a difficult Premier League season and are currently out of contention for the title.
They are currently facing a difficult battle to finish in the top four. This might open the door for a spending spree this summer.
The club brought in Raphael Varane as a new center-back last summer, but they could look for another big-name acquisition.
Ralf Rangnick is said to be a big fan of Rudiger. The German is ready to bring his compatriot to Old Trafford for free.
Rudiger’s current deal with the Blues expires at the end of June, but he has no plans to extend it with the London club.
He turned down a contract worth £200,000 per week and is now looking for a deal worth £400,000 per week, despite interest from PSG and Real Madrid.
United is aware of the £31.5 million-rated star’s demands, but they may yet make a play for him. His arrival is said to cast doubt on Harry Maguire’s future.
In our opinion:
Maguire has had a rough season for Manchester United. He has been prone to positional blunders, which have lost him several goals.
Despite this, he has received public support from Rangnick in recent weeks, although this may alter at the end of the current campaign.
Rudiger’s career has taken a turn for the better under manager Thomas Tuchel. He has frequently played on the left side of a three-man defense.
When he has played in a back four, his positioning has been criticized in the past. This season has also seen an improvement in that area.
As a result, the German is performing to the best of his abilities and, with his extensive Premier League experience, could easily settle at United.
However, given the high weekly pay and the big signing-on fee, it may not be a good piece of business for United.
Rudiger has rarely put a foot wrong for the Blues in the last 12 months, but things could alter with a change of scenery.
The Red Devils have firsthand knowledge of Alexis Sanchez. They don’t want to make the same mistake again by seeking a defender who is approaching 29 years old.
Manchester United may be better suited to seeking a younger center-back who can be molded to suit the next permanent head coach.
