Varun Pai
Transfer News: Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick to prove key in potential deal for Chelsea ace Antonio Rudiger
According to transfer news from Christian Falk of BILD, Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has signalled his intentions to sign Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea.
The German boss is already plotting plans to strengthen Man United from back to front. Our defence has been shaky this season, with Harry Maguire going through a rough patch of form. Raphael Varane was brought in from Real Madrid, but fitness issues have restricted him to minimal game-time.
Rangnick has perhaps identified this department as one to improve upon, courtesy of which he is targeting a deal for Antonio Rudiger. The Chelsea ace has been one of the standout defenders in the Premier League over the last 12 months.
In fact, the former RB Leipzig coach has not wasted any time in trying to bring in his fellow countryman. He knows the player’s agent and brother, Sahr Senesie, very well and has already signalled the club’s intentions to sign his client. However, it is important to note that Bayern Munich and PSG are also interested in the defender, while Rudiger apparently prefers a move to Real Madrid.
Good move by Rangnick?
The defence could certainly use some additional quality. Victor Lindelof has been one of our best defenders this season, and that is saying something. The Swedish ace is a terrific centre-back on his day, but our backline could do with an upgrade, especially when Maguire or Varane are unavailable for selection.
Rangnick brings with him a promise of attractive football and to produce that, he needs the best in the business in every department. Rudiger certainly lives up to that billing. The 28-year-old helped the Blues win the UCL title last season and is arguably their best defender this term considering how he is regularly trusted to start by Tuchel despite his contract issues.
He is out of contract in the summer and could be signed as a free agent. Thus, the Red Devils can land a world-class centre-back without spending a penny in transfer fees. However, the former AS Roma man is apparently demanding a salary between £12-15million-a-year.
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Man United have previously signed the best players from their Premier League rivals, with the signing of Robin van Persie from Arsenal in 2012 a classic example of this. That signing helped us win the title that season, and Rangnick would hope that the German international can do the same thing and help us clinch our 14th Premier League trophy.
That is, of course, only if the former AS Roma man decides to switch to Old Trafford. It’s not like he is short of options and it will be interesting to see what the plan for him would be. Would Rangnick want to switch to a back three to accommodate him? Will one of Maguire or Varane make way for him in the lineup? Or will Rudiger, an acclaimed defender pursued by the likes of Bayern Munich and PSG, settle for a place on our bench? These questions can only be answered as time passes.
