Manchester United are keeping tabs on Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger‘s contract situation but they are not as advanced in talks with the German international as teams from abroad, according to Eurosport‘s Dean Jones.

The journalist, who has a patchy record when it comes to reliability, believes that the Red Devils are very much in the race to sign Rudiger on a free transfer, although any move is likely to be an opportunistic one:

“Their interest is real. At the moment, it is not at the same level as the foreign clubs [who are pursuing the player]. They’re not as far along with looking into any negotiation but obviously, we have seen in the summer, when good opportunities are presented to Manchester United, they consider them. You know, it doesn’t take anyone with too much football intelligence to figure out that Man United could really do with a centre-back like Antonio Rudiger.”

As Jones says, United could do with signing another centre-half. Eric Bailly is seemingly keen on leaving Old Trafford, while captain Harry Maguire has struggled badly for form this season.

Whether there is a realistic chance of securing Rudiger’s services, though, is another matter. The 28-year-old is also being pursued by Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants said to be favourites for his signature at the moment. With foreign clubs also allowed to talk directly to the player, with his current deal now in its final six months, it gives clubs like Real another key advantage in the battle to snap up the German.