Sources: Major update on Tottenham bid to sign Rudiger as Paratici talks lined up
Tottenham will step up their bid to lure Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea this week amid intense competition from rivals, Football Insider understands.
Spurs are in the race to sign the Germany international, 28, after he rejected a new Blues contract and was angered at being offered a worse deal than Mason Mount.
A Tottenham source has told Football Insider that the next days are likely to be crucial in their efforts to persuade Rudiger to quit west for north London and discussions will take place behind the scenes.
They are being led by managing director Fabio Paratici, who is pushing hard to get an early agreement in place.
This site revealed on 18 December that Spurs are intensifying their pursuit of Rudiger and are willing to pay him a “huge” salary to get the deal done.
Tottenham want an agreement in place in January ahead of Rudiger joining at the end of the season.
Paratici recognises clubs on the Continent can secure a pre-contract agreement with the centre-back from 1 January and then land him on a free next summer.
The Spurs recruitment chief is making it clear to Rudiger how much Antonio Conte wants him in the heart of his defence next term.
They are trying to exploit the contract stand-off between the defender and Chelsea.
He is said to be privately adamant he will now leave Chelsea when his agreement expires after being offered an extension that’s less than he hoped.
The priority of Paratici and Conte is to sign at least one elite centre-back in January, and Rudiger is also firmly on their radar.
In other news, an Insider has told Football Insider how Tottenham are working on a deal to sign “unbelievable” player in January.