Chelsea Transfer News: Antonio Rudiger, Cesc Fabregas Radja Nainggolan Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly contacted VFB Stuttgart in the hopes of landing centre-back Antonio Rudiger, despite rumours Chelsea and AS Roma have held talks regarding a possible transfer move. Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas reportedly turned down a move to China, and Wojciech Szczesny has backed Roma team-mate Radja Nainggolan to do well in the Premier League.

According to Calciomercatoweb (h/t Daily Express’ Joe Short), Chelsea are negotiating a deal with Roma for Germany international Rudiger, who has spent the 2015-16 season on loan with the Giallorossi from Stuttgart.

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Roma have an option to sign the defender for £7 million and could choose to sell him on for a profit, but Liverpool are said to have contacted his parent club directly in the hopes of hijacking the move.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a productive season in the Italian capital, establishing himself as the preferred partner for Kostas Manolas. Here’s a look at some of his highlights:

Rudiger has long been regarded as one of Europe’s top defensive prospects, but before he joined Roma, his value was based on his raw potential. With freakish athletic ability, excellent skills in the air and solid composure on the ball, he had all the tools needed to be successful, but the mental side of the game was the one aspect he struggled with.

The Italians have an excellent reputation for nurturing defenders, however, and Roma did wonderful work with Rudiger, whose vision and patience improved greatly in Serie A.

The £7 million clause Roma holds now looks like an absolute steal and one the team is expected to use.

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It makes little sense for Liverpool to contact Stuttgart, as Rudiger is not expected to return to his parent club unless he decides against a permanent move to Roma.

So far, Rudiger is yet to give any indication he doesn’t want to stay with the Giallorossi.

That doesn’t mean a deal for the German can’t be made, however. Per UEFA’s website, Roma were punished for violating Financial Fair Play regulations last year, with strict limitations placed on their spending until the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

It’s one of the reasons so many of their players are linked with moves, including star midfielders Miralem Pjanic and Nainggolan, as well as Manolas, per Short.

Rudiger seems less likely to move, however. Roma already lost a young defender in Alessio Romagnoli last season, and unless a club is willing to offer an extraordinary amount of money on top of the £7 million it will cost the Giallorossi to make his loan permanent, Rudiger won’t be going anywhere.

Nainggolan has also been frequently linked with the Blues, and Roma goalkeeper Szczesny, who plays for the club on loan from Arsenal, believes he has what it takes to make a big impression in the Premier League, via FourFourTwo:

"

He's definitely a fantastic fit for English football – he's very strong, physical and tough.

He's not afraid of anyone and he will fight for 90 minutes in every game. Combine that with very advanced technical skills and you have a complete player.

If I was Chelsea manager, I'd buy him in a heartbeat. But I hope it's not the case and that he'll stay with us.

"

The Times (h/t Daily Star’s James Walters) claim the Belgian has already agreed to a deal worth £100,000 per week with the Blues.

Here’s a look at the player Chelsea would be signing:

Nainggolan is a tenacious, energetic midfielder who will remind fans of Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal, a favourite of incoming manager Antonio Conte during his time with Juventus.

Finally, the Sun’s Mike McGrath reports Fabregas has “revealed he snubbed a mammoth £200,000 a week offer” from an unspecified Chinese club.

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The former Barcelona star hasn’t enjoyed a good season with the Blues, who lost Ramires to Jiangsu Suning FC in January. According to the report, the same club originally wanted to buy Oscar, with Fabregas second on their list following Ramires' move.

The 29-year-old is determined to work with Conte, however, and expected to stay at the club heading into next season, per the report.

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