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Tottenham remain interested in swooping for defender Antonio Rudiger from London rivals Chelsea, according to reports.

Spurs are on the hunt for defensive reinforcements for whoever their new manager is. Jose Mourinho was unsatisfied with his options before he was sacked in April. One of the players he wanted to sign in that department was Rudiger, who remains on the club’s radar even after the coach’s exit.

According to The Sun, citing the Daily Mirror, Tottenham are still keen on the German international defender. Rudiger is out of contract in 2022 and with no renewal on the table yet, Chelsea may have to sell.

He put in an impressive performance in the Champions League final win over Manchester City, adding to his revived form under Thomas Tuchel. But it is still possible that he leaves Stamford Bridge this summer.

His next destination may not be too far away, though. It is claimed that Tottenham still want to sign him to bolster the ranks for their next boss.

So do Paris Saint-Germain, who have been contenders for his signature in previous transfer windows.

And reports in Italy have suggested that Mourinho could try to take him to Roma – the club Chelsea signed him from in 2017.

But given his resurgence under Tuchel, Chelsea may have second thoughts about selling him. Rudiger is seen as an important leadership figure who has backed that up with his performances recently.

There have been suggestions that he could open talks over a new deal – but only after Euro 2020.

Rudiger has been named in the 26-man selection for Germany, along with Chelsea teammates Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.

Tottenham manager candidate slams Rudiger

If Rudiger was to move to Spurs, then it’d be interesting if Roberto Martinez became their next manager.

The Belgium boss is one of the candidates to replace Mourinho, but has recently spoken out against Rudiger after his collision with Kevin De Bruyne caused injury to the Manchester City playmaker in the Champions League final.

“For me, Rudiger is very, very fortunate,” said Martinez (via the Express). “When you look at the replay, there’s no clash of heads.

“He’s properly leaving the shoulder against Kevin. He seems concussed, and we will see the state of that.

“But that leaves a sour taste because Rudiger’s holding his head. It’s almost that he wants to show that he’s hiding something.

“For me, it was excessive force, and it was reckless. And it should have been a red card.”

READ MORE: Pochettino wants the ‘impossible’, as PSG chief addresses Tottenham claims

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