Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger could become a January option for Barcelona, according to a report in Spain.
Sport claims that Barca are looking to offload Samuel Umtiti and they are looking for defensive cover.
Eric Garcia from Manchester City is believed to be their top target, but they are unsure whether they can get the player in January. Instead they may well have to wait for the summer when the defender’s contract expires at The Etihad.
The Spanish daily therefore report that Rudiger could be another option for the Catalan giants. They suggest that the Chelsea man “would be delighted” to swap Chelsea for Barcelona in the January window, despite the fact he’d only be the fourth choice in Spain.
Barca are far from flushed with cash though and are understood to be looking at a cut-price deal or a loan.
A loan may well suit them, so they can go complete a deal for Garcia in the summer.
As far as Chelsea are concerned, Rudiger is down the pecking order under Frank Lampard.
The 27-year-old has played twice in the Champions League this season, but he has yet to appear in the Premier League.
He has made the bench four times, but Lampard has preferred Zurt Zouma and Thiago Silva at centre back.
Lampard may well welcome the opportunity to get the German some game time, which would increase his value ahead of his contract ending in 2022.
Source: TeamTalk
