---
title: "Chelsea steal march on Liverpool for international defender, discussions underway"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-steal-march-on-liverpool-for-international-defender-discussions-underway/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jonny Gorrie"
section: "Chelsea Football Club"
published: "2016-05-16T19:00:26Z"
modified: "2016-05-16T19:00:26Z"
---

# Chelsea steal march on Liverpool for international defender, discussions underway

![rudigerr88](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/rudigerr88.jpg)

**A truly miserable season for Chelsea drew to a close with a draw against champions Leicester City yesterday, though much of attention centred around legendary captain John Terry.**

While that’s understandable, the Blues are expected to go under wholesale changes when Antonio Conte arrives this summer.

So, rather that focusing on the old. Some of the more forward thinking bunch in the Transfer Tavern this evening are already scouring the net for reports to do with new recruits.

According to Italian outlet *[Corriere Dello Sport](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2016/05/16-11566877/calciomercato_la_roma_ferma_pjanic_rdiger_va_via/),* the West London giants could have been handed a major boost in their bid to land German international defender Antonio Rudiger.

Currently on loan at Roma, the Serie A giants are not [thought](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2016/05/16-11566877/calciomercato_la_roma_ferma_pjanic_rdiger_va_via/) to have invoked their option to purchase the 23-year old from Stuttgart on a permanent deal.

Liverpool are also [believed](https://www.football-italia.net/84009/liverpool-%E2%82%AC19m-romas-rudiger) to be interested in the Germany star as they bid to improve their defensive options too.

However, it is [claimed](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2016/05/16-11566877/calciomercato_la_roma_ferma_pjanic_rdiger_va_via/) that the Blues have opened discussions over a potential deal as they look to add some stability to their backline in the coming months.

**Would Rudiger be an upgrade on what Liverpool/Chelsea already have? Or at least able to grow into one?**