Sources: Tottenham pulling plug on Antonio Rudiger move as Paratici told 'he's close to deal'
Tottenham are pulling the plug on their pursuit of Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger after being told he's "close to a deal" with another club, 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 again in January.
A Tottenham source has told Football Insider that Fabio Paratici has maintained his determined pursuit since then but is now moving on to other targets.
The Spurs transfer chief has learned that Rudiger is "close to a deal" with a rival club in what would also be a huge blow to Chelsea.
Rudiger is able to negotiate a move as his contract expires in June and he has knocked back offers from the Blues to extend it.
Losing out on the race to land the superstar defender will also be a blow to Spurs, whose manager Antonio Conte knows him well from his Chelsea days.
The Club World Cup champions can still secure Rudiger to a new agreement but that is now looking unlikely.
There has been interest from the European elite, including Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
But Barcelona are pushing hard for a deal as they look to secure a remarkable Chelsea hat-trick.
The Spanish giants already have an agreement in principle with Andreas Christensen, who is out of contract in the summer.
Cesar Azpilicueta is also close to joining the Catalan outfit even though Chelsea have triggered the 12-month extension to his deal, which was also due to expire in June.
Losing Rudiger would be the biggest blow of the three as he is at the peak of his career and widely regarded as one of Europe's outstanding centre-backs.