Manchester United ‘step up their interest in Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger’

Manchester United are reportedly ramping up their pursuit of soon-to-be out of contract Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.

The 28-year-old colossal centre half is heading into the final four months of his current deal at Chelsea and looks no closer to penning new terms.

European giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked and now United are keen to swoop in and get one of their Premier League rivals’ stars for free, according to The Mirror. 

Man United boss Ralf Rangnick (R) is eyeing a summer move for Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger (L)

Thomas Tuchel is desperate to keep Rudiger beyond the end of his contract this summer

The report claims that interim Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick is keen on the idea of a move for the Germany international.

United are in need of defensive reinforcements after conceding 34 league goals so far this season – only West Ham and Southampton have conceded the same or more out of the top 10.

While captain and centre back Harry Maguire has come under heavy criticism for his below-par performances this campaign.

Red Devils are in need of defensive reinforcements after shipping a lot of goals this season

Sportsmail revealed earlier this month that Rudiger, who pockets around £100,000-a-week wages at Stamford Bridge, rebuffed Chelsea’s latest offer of around £140,000-per-week to commit his future to the Blues.

It is believed the west London club did informally put a deal around £200,000 per week down on the table but the offer still missed the mark.   

Both LaLiga giants Real and France’s powerhouse PSG have already made Ruidger pre-contract approaches and he knows he increase his salary to £400,000 a week should he leave on a Bosman transfer. 

That is proving a stumbling block for Chelsea, who have made it clear they want the defender to stay, and are hopeful they can tie him down to a new deal.

United have been monitoring Rudiger’s contract situation with Rangnick, who is set to move upstairs in a consultancy role following his interim spell, a huge admirer of his compatriot.