Tottenham Hotspur were in the market for a new defender back in October, and ended up signing Joe Rodon from Swansea City.
Spurs couldn’t bring in a top-flight signing before the deadline, but took advantage of the extended Football League window to sign Rodon.
The Welshman has provided a decent depth option but isn’t yet a first-team star, which is what Jose Mourinho was seeking.
Now, Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has told The Mirror that he did hold talks with Mourinho about a late move to Spurs in October.
Rudiger notes that Paris Saint-Germain were also keen, and the German admits that he was a bit upset when a move away didn’t happen.
“I can’t give myself a contract, but I love it here at Chelsea,” said Rudiger. “They will always be my priority No 1. Even at the start of the season I was calm. Shocked is the wrong word. Some things I saw coming. Obviously that I was not in the squad I didn’t see coming.”
“But I took it on the chin. I was close. There were really two teams — mainly one — that I was considering. That was PSG. There was also Mourinho. At the end of the day it didn’t happen. I was a bit upset. But then I had the talk with the ex coach, Frank Lampard, and I worked my way back. Now things are going well for me,” he added.
The Express noted earlier this season that Rudiger earns a huge £150,000-a-week, which Chelsea wanted paying in full for a loan move.
Signing Rudiger from London rivals Chelsea always seemed a little unlikely, but it seems that he was at least somewhat interested in making a move.
Rudiger does though have just over a year left on his contract, meaning Spurs should continue to look into his situation, even if he is now starring under Thomas Tuchel.
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