'Better than Dier' - Pundit reacts as Tottenham swoop for 'Wonderful' 28-yr-old confirmed
Tottenham missed out on signing a "wonderful" player in Antonio Rudiger, according to Frank McAvennie.
The former West Ham and Celtic striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said the 28-year-old "would have been a great signing" for the Lilywhites who "need" a new centre-half.
As quoted by Sky Sports, the Chelsea defender confirmed he held talks over the phone with Jose Mourinho regarding a potential move to Spurs last summer.
As revealed by Football Insider earlier this month, the Blues are lining up new contract talks with Rudiger but Tottenham are on red alert in case an agreement is not reached.
Rudiger was out of favour at Stamford Bridge for the first half of the campaign, but he has won his place back in the side under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
McAvennie claimed Rudiger would have been a step up from Eric Dier.
"Rudiger is a big guy and a wonderful player," he told Football Insider.
"He would've been a great signing because they need a centre-half.
"They have been playing the boy Dier there and he's better than him. He is a midfield player at centre-half. You can do that for a game or two but it is not a long-term plan. They will get caught out."
Spurs are eyeing up multiple centre-back signings this summer as Jose Mourinho does not trust Davinson Sanchez in big matches.
Football Insider understands that the club will listen to offers for the Colombia international in the next transfer window.