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Football London
Football London
Sport
Jake Stokes

Thomas Tuchel can sign Antonio Rudiger heir with Jorginho transfer trick amid Chelsea 'priority'

Jorginho looks set to help Thomas Tuchel find a replacement for Antonio Rudiger this summer, with the Chelsea midfielder subject to growing interest from overseas. The 30-year-old sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expire next year and, despite his agent claiming that a new deal in west London is a 'priority', he's been linked with a move to Juventus.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Old Lady are putting together a proposal for Chelsea, which could see Merih Demiral used as a makeweight in a swap deal. The 24-year-old is reportedly set to return to Juventus this summer following an uninspired season-long loan at Atalanta.

Demiral featured 28 times for Gian Piero Gasperini's side in the Serie A, leaving the La Dea unimpressed with his displays. The report adds that a £15.5million option-to-buy was included in his loan deal with Atalanta, but the Italian side have opted against activating said clause.

READ MORE: Todd Boehly Chelsea takeover agreement gives Thomas Tuchel La Liga transfer mission green light

Upon his return to Juventus, Calciomercato claims that Demiral is not in Massimiliano Allegri's plans and that the club intends to sell the centre-back this summer. So, with Jorginho on the Old Lady's radar and the Turkey international surplus to requirements, the Italian giants are reportedly set to offer a swap deal.

Though, despite reports linking the Chelsea midfielder with an exit, his agent Joao Santos revealed that his client's priority is to stay at Stamford Bridge next season. He spoke to 1 Station Radio via Calciomercato: "He still has one year on his contract with the Blues. The priority is renewal. At the moment, however, Chelsea cannot operate on the market for issues arising from the sale of Abramovich, so we will meet with the company to discuss it."

With only one year remaining on his deal, along with midfield partner N'Golo Kante, Tuchel stands at a crossroads with his squad, with a decision to make over how he can freshen it up. And, with uncertainty regarding the club's ability to replace Rudiger, the swap deal could see Chelsea come out on top.

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