Manchester United risk missing out on signing Antonio Rudiger as a free agent this summer due to the club’s manager uncertainty.
According to 90min, the Red Devils hold ‘firm interest’ in signing the German international whose contract at Chelsea expires at the end of the season.
Fellow European heavyweights Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint Germain have been credited with an interest in the former Roma man, and the Telegraph report that Newcastle United are set to enter the race.
Although United are none the wiser of knowing who their next permanent manager will be, interim boss Ralf Rangnick believes that the centre-back area needs improving.
The German will move upstairs to take up a two-year consultancy position when his tenure as the club’s interim manager finishes at the end of the season.
However, Marca previously reported that United may look to exploit Rangnick’s ‘good relationship’ with his compatriot’s agent Sehr Senesie to engineer a deal and gain the upper hand.
The report from 90min states that Rangnick has made it clear to United that the club should be doing all they can to try and sign Rudiger, who he regards as their top defensive target.
The Champions League winner has been in imperious form ever since Thomas Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard in January 2021.
Prior to Tuchel’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, Rudiger was out-of-favour and seemingly heading for the exit door.
The dominant and pacey centre-back could be set to leave this summer, but Chelsea will still hope they can convince him to sign a new deal.
One man who will be delighted to see Antonio Rudiger make the move to Old Trafford is Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.
Speaking on a recent FIVE podcast about Rudiger, Ferdinand said: “Rudiger’s been sick. Rudiger for me has been the most consistent centre-back in the league since Tuchel arrived.
“He’s an absolute animal.”