Sources: Major update on Tottenham bid to sign Rudiger after Paratici calls every day
Tottenham are slipping behind in the race to sign Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger despite recruitment chief Fabio Paratici's determined pursuit, Football Insider can reveal.
The centre-back, 28, has been a top target for Spurs dating back to last summer and they pushed hard to agree a deal with him last month with a view to a summer arrival.
But a Tottenham source has told Football Insider that the cost of the deal has now escalated out of the club's price range even though it would be a free transfer.
Rudiger is holding out for a deal worth more than £300,000-a-week after failing to agree new terms with Chelsea.
That would shatter Spurs' wage structure, where star man Harry Kane is believed to earn around £200,000-a-week plus bonuses.
It is a blow to Antonio Conte, who sanctioned the pursuit of a player he knows well from his Chelsea days, as well as Paratici, who had been calling every day to secure an agreement.
The Club World Cup champions are still in talks with the defender and have not given up hope of securing an agreement.
But they would have to break the bank to do so, said the source with knowledge of the discussions.
That has opened the door to rival clubs, including leading Premier League sides as well as those on the Continent.
Among the English sides, Man United now lead the race ahead of Tottenham while the European elite, including Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, are also keen.
Overseas clubs have a major advantage as they can formally secure Rudiger to a pre-contract agreement ahead of the summer.
The Germany international rejected Chelsea's early contract offer after being angered at being offered a worse deal than Mason Mount.