As per Sky Sports (via Football Daily), Tottenham Hotspur may have been handed a possible boost in the race to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger as his contract winds down.

The Lowdown: Spurs work on agreement...

According to reports, the Germany international is very much a top transfer target for Spurs, managing director Fabio Paratici, chairman Daniel Levy and coach Antonio Conte.

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Football Insider claim that Paratici is in fact 'calling every day', maintaining constant contact with Rudiger's entourage as he attempts to reach an agreement and win the race for his signature.

However, suitors from overseas like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich possess an advantage given they can formally agree pre-contracts this month - a card Spurs do not hold.

Tottenham do remain in the hunt as things stand with another source, Eurosport journalist Dean Jones, recently backing the Lilywhites' interest.

Now, in an update on Rudiger's situation at Stamford Bridge, Sky have shared some 'interesting news' in what could be a boost for Spurs.

The Latest: Sky share possible Rudiger boost...

Dropping an update on live TV (via Football Daily), the broadcast giant relays that Chelsea's star defender is in 'no rush' to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.

This is because he is 'very aware' there could be 'interest from the Premier League' if he were to become a free agent at the end of this season.

As well as this, despite the fact he could still sign an extension with Chelsea, they would have to make the 28-year-old the 'highest paid defender' in England's top flight to stop him from leaving.

"Some interesting news reaching us regarding Antonio Rudiger," Sky explained.

"He says he's in no rush to sign a pre-contract agreement, now earlier this week we reported that Real Madrid, Juventus, PSG and Bayern Munich had all opened talks with his representatives.

"Barcelona, they're also keeping an eye on his situation, but he's very aware there could be interest from the Premier League if, of course, he were to become a free agent in the summer.

"Signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge hasn't been ruled out for Rudiger, but we're told Chelsea would have to make him the highest paid defender in the Premier League to keep him there."

The Verdict: Boost for Spurs...

This update on Rudiger's situation and transfer stance does come as a boost with Paratici as Tottenham remaining very much in contention.

Foreign sides being able to formally secure the centre-back to a pre-contract in January certainly put Spurs at a big disadvantage in the race so his willingness to bide time and entertain offers closer to home bolsters Paratici and Conte's chances.

Rudiger's demands to be made the highest paid defender in England if he is to agree a Chelsea extension could also boost Spurs.

Indeed, Lilywhites chairman Levy apparently has no problem tabling lucrative wages and is willing to make a 'huge' salary offer to tempt the player across London (Football Insider).

Taking all this into account, you can't rule Spurs out just yet.

In other news: Tottenham 'working strongly' for 'phenomenal signing' as reporter shares news on Twitter, find out more here.