"?German defender Antonio Rudiger completed a permanent move to AS Roma on Monday, having spent the season on loan with the Serie A club from Stuttgart.
The "?Express reports that Chelsea are now looking to buy the 23-year-old, before he even kicks a ball for Roma next season.
L'#ASRoma ha esercitato il diritto di opzione per l'acquisizione di Antonio #Rudiger https://t.co/kxcMn9KmeO pic.twitter.com/065CotHJn8
Rudiger made 37 appearances for the Italian outfit, scoring two goals in an impressive personal campaign. The club triggered their €9m buy-out clause to make the deal permanent, signing the player to a contract which runs until 2020.
Roma, however, are believed to be intent on making an immediate profit, and are willing to let the defender leave for the right price. The Blues, on the other hand, have been monitoring the situation for weeks, and could make a move for the player soon, according to reports.
Incoming manager Antonio Conte is said to be an admirer, while officials at the club value the player at £16m.
Conte is also after Rudiger's defensive partner Kostas Manolas, as he looks to bolster the team's back four for the upcoming campaign. But he will face competition, with PSG, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund all interested in signing the German stopper.