Juventus and AC Milan join Barcelona in Antonio Rudiger transfer battle with Chelsea open to January loan move

JUVENTUS and AC Milan have reportedly joined Barcelona in the race for Chelsea outcast Antonio Rudiger.

Calciomercato claims the two Serie A giants are keen on taking Rudiger back to Italy.

Juventus and AC Milan have joined the chase for Chelsea defender Antonio RudigerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

And they believe Chelsea are open to loaning the German defender while also allowing the option of a permanent £16million switch next summer.

Rudiger, 27, has slipped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Thiago Silva.

Kurt Zouma has also impressed after developing a partnership with the Brazilian.

And Rudiger has been limited to just one Premier League appearance all season.

The centre-back came close to leaving Chelsea in the last transfer window.

And the Blues are apparently ready to give Rudiger minutes elsewhere to help him secure a place in Joachim Low’s starting XI for the Euros.

Barcelona are thought to have made Rudiger one of their top targets alongside Manchester City’s Eric Garcia and Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi.

But Juventus and Milan have now thrown their hats in the ring as they look to convince the ex-Roma man his future lies back in Serie A.

Rudiger has made a total of 119 appearances for Chelsea after swapping Italy’s capital for London in 2017 for £30m.

He’s won the 2018 FA Cup and 2019 Europa League during his time at Stamford Bridge.

But a lack of action this term means his long-term future is likely away from the Blues.

However, Rudiger could be set to make his fourth Champions League appearance of the campaign tonight when Frank Lampard’s side host Krasnodar.

Rudiger is not the only centre-back struggling for minutes at Chelsea right now, with Fikayo Tomori playing just three times in all competitions.

He is ready to leave on loan too and Newcastle are expected to make an offer, while Everton have also been linked.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk