Juventus have reportedly ramped up the chase for Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger who is out of contract at the club this coming summer.
The German international is understood to be close to heading out the exit door at Stamford Bridge with the sanctions imposed on Chelsea rendering them unable to negotiate new contracts with players.
With the race heating up to land Rudiger in the summer as the defender enters free agency, Serie A heavyweights Juventus are hoping to move ahead of rival suitors with the Italians hoping to lure the Chelsea contract rebel to Turin.
According to a report from The Sun, Rudiger is being billed as the successor to the veteran Giorgio Chiellini to serve in the capacity of the defensive mainstay for Juventus in the seasons to come.
The 29-year-old Rudiger has the likes of FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid too in the fray for his signature with Chelsea resigned to losing out on their star defender for free heading into the new campaign.
