Chelsea have been dealt another blow in their attempts to sign a defender this summer after Antonio Rudiger was ruled out for several months with a serious knee injury.
The Roma centre-half could miss all of next season after he tore a cruciate ligament while training with Germany ahead of Euro 2016.
Chelsea were considering buying Rudiger, even though Roma had just triggered an option to buy him from Stuttgart for £7m after a loan spell, but that is no longer possible.
The Blues have already been told by Juventus that Leonardo Bonucci is not for sale, while their interest in Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly has been ignored by the Italians. Roma will be even more determined to keep Kostas Manolas, who Chelsea have also enquired about, at the club now that Rudiger is sidelined long-term.
Antonio Conte has made strengthening the back four a priority when he takes over at Stamford Bridge, which will be after his job with Italy ends at Euro 2016.
As revealed by Standard Sport in January, Chelsea are going to make another move for Everton defender John Stones this summer, having had four bids rejected last year. However, they face competition from Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona, while Everton are also ready to ignore all bids that come their way.
New owner Farhad Moshiri is looking to keep the club’s prize assets and hopes the appointment of Ronald Koeman, which should be confirmed today, will help. The Blues are also still interested in Paris Saint Germain defender Marquinhos.
