Chelsea are interested in making a move for Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger, according to German daily BILD.
21-year-old Rudiger is capable of playing at either centre-back or full-back and is seen as one of the most promising young players in German football at present.
The young Stuttgart player was linked with a move to a number of Premier League clubs this past summer but the likes of West Ham United and Everton pulled out due to his £7m valuation and the player’s determination to remain in the Bundesliga for the time being.
His form this season has continued and led a number of bigger European clubs to show interest.
Chelsea are reportedly one of those with Blues boss Jose Mourinho looking at signing the German international, rather than making a move for Raphael Varane, who has been valued highly by Real Madrid.
Rudiger is therefore seen as a replacement for the likes of John Terry, 33, and Branislav Ivanovic, 31.