Report claims West Ham are ready to spend big to sign Chelsea ace on loan

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West Ham will pay good money to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger on loan this summer, according to a report from the Sun.

In other news…ExWHUemployee claims London club have offered defender to West Ham

Hammers boss David Moyes has been looking far and wide for central defensive reinforcements this summer.

West Ham have been linked with moves for Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski (Telegraph), Saint-Etienne ace Wesley Fofana (Sky Sports) and Arsenal’s Rob Holding (The Sun) amongst others.

But as things stand, we seem to be no closer to strengthening our ranks at the London Stadium.

The Daily Mail claimed earlier this week that Chelsea ace Antonio Rudiger is on the Hammers’ radar too.

The 27-year-old, who earns £100k-a-week according to Spotrac, has been frozen out at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard so far this season and is concerned about his diminished role in west London, according to the Sun.

And the Sun adds that West Ham are ready to pay good money to bring the 31-capped Germany international to east London this summer.

Stats

The Blues signed Rudiger from Roma in the summer of 2017 for around £29 million (BBC). He has gone on to make 80 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. In those outings, the 27-year-old has made 93 tackles, 15 blocks, 72 interceptions, 252 clearances and 522 ball recoveries (premierleague.com).

The Germany international is a very solid all round defender. He would undoubtedly be a useful addition for West Ham. And his availability on loan seems to suit us perfectly.

It must be noted, however, that paying a hefty loan fee for Rudiger would be rather counter productive. We would be spending substantial money on a player who we wouldn’t even own. We would then be in the same position next year when he returns to Chelsea, if not a worse one because we would have less money to spend than the previous year.

Unless we have an option or obligation to buy included in the deal, of course.

Either way, Rudiger would undoubtedly improve West Ham’s defence. So we won’t be able to complain if he does end up in east London before next month’s transfer deadline.