Tottenham turn attentions to late swoop for Chelsea centre back Antonio Rudiger

Tottenham have identified Antonio Rudiger as an alternative to Inter Milan’s centre back Milan Skriniar — but Paris Saint-Germain remain in pole position to land the Chelsea outcast.

Spurs want to strike a deal for the Slovak but can’t agree on a price as Inter want £36million.

That has forced Tottenham into considering other options and Rudiger heads the list of alternatives.

Antonio Rudiger has fallen out of favour and is well down the pecking order at Chelsea

Rudiger could be set for a move away from Stamford Bridge after losing Frank Lampard’s trust 

Chelsea are normally reluctant to sell to direct Premier League rivals — but they may allow Rudiger to leave, provided the deal suited them.

But Rudiger, 27, is also on PSG’s radar and a move to a Ligue 1 club would be easier to engineer.

The Germany international’s days under Frank Lampard are numbered after he was frozen out.

Spurs have grown frustrated with negotiations over Milan Skriniar (L) and will turn to Rudiger

Lampard (right) is looking to offload at least one of Chelsea’s centre backs in the window

Jose Mourinho is keen on a swoop for Rudiger as he looks to strengthen his Spurs back-line

And although Rudiger is open to leaving, Chelsea face a delicate balancing act.

The 27-year-old is approaching the final 18 months of his deal so loaning out the central defender would open the door to losing him for nothing at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

If they were to consider a loan, it is understood Chelsea would insist on the German signing a 12-month extension to avoid that scenario.  

Thiago Silva’s summer arrival has knocked Rudiger out of contention at Stamford Bridge