Chelsea's latest transfer activity has finally hinted at where Antonio Rudiger's future may lie beyond the end of the season.
The 28-year-old, who has developed into one of the world's leading defenders under Thomas Tuchel, sees his current deal at Stamford Bridge expire in the summer.
Contract talks between Rudiger and the European champions are ongoing , according to Thomas Tuchel in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Tottenham clash, but the defender's departure is - naturally - still on the table meaning Chelsea may need to find cover.
However, Andreas Christensen's reported talks with Barcelona, as per Sport, and Marina Granovskaia's latest project in Serie A offers fans a glimpse into how Chelsea's back-three could look next season.
Matthijs de Ligt has emerged as a candidate for Tuchel's back-three as the Blues look to bolster their defensive options amid uncertain times at Stamford Bridge, despite the Dutchman's lack of nous in a back-three.
Along with Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, who is also a key feature in the west Londoner's defence, faces an exit from Chelsea this summer as he sees his current deal expire at the end of the season.
The Blues are 'willing to go crazy' in their efforts to sign de Ligt who has a ‘set the price’ of €65million (£54.4million), according to La Repubblica (via Sport Witness), hinting at Rudiger's elusive contract decision.
After becoming the youngest player ever to captain a team in the knockout stages of the Champions League - proudly donning the armband with Ajax at the age of just 19 - De Ligt went on to join the Old Lady in 2019 for around £67million, though his form in Italy has never quite reached the heights many expected.
Much of this is due can be stemmed back to Massimiliano Allegri's intent on accommodating Leonardo Bonucci, who like De Ligt also prefers to operate as a right centre-back oppose to left, into Juventus' back-four.
Earlier in the season, the Old Lady's boss has cited the 22-year-old's inability to play left centre-half as a reason for dropping him in a highly anticipated clash with AC Milan.
Speaking to DAZN after the Juventus' draw with the Rossoneri in September, Allegri said: "Let's just say I needed someone left-footed on that [left] side, it's not an issue of experience, because De Ligt has played many games already."
Chelsea fans mustn't view the race for De Ligt as the club chasing someone who can't cover on the left but instead a player who is a specialist on the right and can improve upon the services Christensen and Azpilicueta have provided.
With an open-minded tactical approach to the west Londoners' interest, it offers a glimpse into Rudiger's final contract decision.
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