Tottenham Hotspur will do all they can to win the race to sign Antonio Rudiger next year...

What's the word?

That's according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who delivered a bold transfer claim to GIVEMESPORT this week.

The German international is yet to commit his future to Chelsea and with his contract up at the end of the season, he could move on despite becoming a regular under Thomas Tuchel.

Spurs have always maintained an interest in the 28-year-old centre-back and their appointment of Antonio Conte may have bolstered their chances of securing him as the pair worked together at Stamford Bridge several years ago.

"I think Tottenham are willing to really push the boat out to get Rudiger," the journalist revealed.

"I think the change in manager would have helped them turn his head a little bit. But Rudiger knows he's basically got a pick of the teams when it comes to when his contract's up."

Statement signing

Despite Rudiger's phenomenal record against Spurs, and his past controversy involving Heung-min Son, there is no denying that he would be quite the coup for the north Londoners.

The defender, rated at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, started for the Blues' in their Champions League final victory over Manchester City last season and has featured in 14 of their 15 matches across the same competition and the Premier League.

[snack-amp-story url = "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-news-updates-transfers-antonio-conte-thfc" title="Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!"]

His impressive form under Tuchel once earned high praise from one of the best to ever to it in the English top-flight.

"Look at Rudiger, he’s arguably, since Tuchel has been there [at Chelsea], been the best defender in the Premier League. Him or [Ruben] Dias in that time. He’s been unbelievable, he’s like an animal," former Manchester United colossus Rio Ferdinand told his podcast (via the Metro).

The German beast played 45 times under Conte in west London, so he would need no time in adjusting to the Italian's methods, tactics and strict coaching style and that makes him a very intriguing target.

European heavyweights Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in Rudiger, so if Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy can beat them to his signature, then it would be an unreal statement to the rest of the Premier League.

The slight possibility of that happening should have many around N17 absolutely buzzing with excitement. He would be one major signing at Spurs.

AND in other news, Antonio Conte handed Spurs injury boost ahead of Leeds clash...