Newcastle in battle with 'very serious' Juventus for £29m beast

Newcastle United face “very strong” competition from Juventus in the race to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Magpies are the latest team who are thought to be interested in signing the 29-year-old this summer, but it looks like they will have to see off one of Europe’s biggest clubs if they are to land him.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle want to sign Rudiger, who has also attracted the attention of Real Madrid.

The German centre-back is out of contract at the end of the season, making it no surprise that several outfits are after him. However, the same report states that a Stamford Bridge stay is not completely out of the picture.

Rudiger remains key for Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, missing just one Premier League game this term.

The Champions League-winning coach will undoubtedly not want to lose him, especially with Andreas Christensen Barcelona-bound, but it is more than a real possibility right now.

Mystery Saudi consortium WANT TO BUY Chelsea! Find out more on The Football Terrace…

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Newcastle are going to have to see off competition from Juventus if they are to bring Rudiger to St James’ Park in the summer.

Speaking to GMS, the football journalist said: “It’s being reported that Newcastle are in for Rudiger, but the most interesting club stepping up interest recently is Juventus. From what I’ve heard, they are very serious about wanting to take him back to Serie A.”

It is not even up for debate. The Germany international is easily one of the best central defenders in the Premier League and has been playing at an extremely high level for a while now.

Speaking to Goal back in December about his compatriot, former Bayern Munich