11pm: Tuchel confirms Chelsea have open talks with defender, as Barcelona set asking price for Chelsea target
According to latest reports, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has suggested that Chelsea have opened talks with Antonio Rudiger about a potential new contract at the club.
However, Tuchel was asked about the speculation surrounding the German, with reports suggesting club’s have opened talks with his representatives over signing a pre-contract agreement now the transfer window has opened
Tuchel was firm in his stance – he wants Rudiger to stay at Chelsea – and confirmed that the Blues are in discussions with the German over a new deal, but as of yet there is nothing official to report on that front.
‘I cannot predict the future and I don’t know if his representatives are talking to other clubs or not,’ Thomas answered on Rudiger questions.
‘Of course, it is possible they are right now [talking to other clubs] as it is January and he hasn’t signed a new contract with us yet but we are in communication with him, the club is in dialogue with his people.
‘Toni is very aware of what I demand from him and how much I appreciate him. The level on which he is playing is outstanding.
‘The point on Toni from my side is very clear, my opinion is clear and the club is trying their very best with him.’
Chelsea ‘will go with everything’ to try to sign Barcelona defender Sergino Dest this month, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel is currently considering his full-back options in January after Ben Chilwell was ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery, while Reece James has been sidelined for two months with a hamstring tear.
They have tried to recall Emerson Palmieri from his loan spell at Lyon but that has been refused. Lucas Digne has been an option looked at by the Blues with the Frenchman expected to depart in January.
Dest has been another option linked with Chelsea this month as they continue to assess their options with still over three weeks to go in the winter window.
As per Sport in Spain, Barcelona have now set an asking price of at least €20 million for the defender to interested clubs.
It has put Chelsea on alert after it was claimed they made an approach to the Spain side to learn the conditions of what is needed to acquire the USMNT star this month.
Barcelona are believed to be willing to negotiate the fee amid their asking price. Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid have both show recent interest in the full-back.
What Chelsea decide to do in the market this month remains unclear. It will become clearer as the window heads into the middle and end of its dealings. For now, Tuchel is handling his squad well despite the constant disruption.