PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel pushing for Antonio Rüdiger — report

As we enter the final week of the summer transfer window, decisions will have to be made very soon over several players, including whoever is deemed fifth-choice in the center back pecking order. That player is likely to be Antonio Rüdiger, though Lampard did warn yesterday that we shouldn’t “assume” anything.

Still, other than the tabloids grasping at straws over Kurt Zouma because he happened to be rotated out for the weekend’s match against West Brom, it certainly looks like Rüdiger is the one who will make way.

The method of his exit is likely to be temporary, just a loan with, at best, an option to buy, though it sounds like Chelsea are still hoping to make that a more definitive arrangement. RMC Sport claim that’s one of the things holding up a potential deal, with negotiations “dragging on” between between the club and PSG, where head coach Thomas Tuchel is “pushing” for the 27-year-old and has spoken “several times” with him on the phone.

Rüdiger has also been linked with AC Milan, AS Roma, Barcelona, and Spurs, though only the latter offer any hope of a non-loan transfer.