Chelsea are prepared to allow Antonio Rudiger to join Tottenham on loan, provided the centre-half signs a one-year contract extension first.
Rudiger has 18 months remaining on his current deal and, while Chelsea are willing to loan him out for the rest of the season, they want to protect his value and avoid a situation where he returns to the club with six months left on his contract.
Spurs manager Jose Mourinho is desperate for a new centre-half before Monday's transfer deadline and the club have turned their attentions to Rudiger after being put off by Inter Milan's £45million asking price for Milan Skriniar – although they could still make an eleventh-hour bid for the Slovakian.
The relationship between Chelsea and Spurs, who met in a fiery Carabao Cup fourth-round tie on Tuesday, has mellowed at boardroom level and Chelsea were willing to allow Olivier Giroud to join their rivals in January but failed to sign a replacement.
Rudiger, 27, has been told by Frank Lampard he is surplus to requirements at Chelsea and is eager to leave before Monday's deadline.
Earlier this year, the Germany international said "racism won" after no evidence was found to support his claim of abuse from fans at Tottenham in Chelsea's win in north London on December 22.
In Pictures | Tottenham vs Chelsea | 29/09/2020
Meanwhile, Blues boss Lampard has been handed a boost after Christian Pulisic declared himself fit to return from his hamstring injury. The American was injured in last season’s FA Cup Final but has said he is “ready to play” after missing the start of the season. Chelsea host Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Spurs have also watched South Korean defender Kim Min-jae and expect Juan Foyth to leave permanently, with Villareal eyeing a deal for the Argentine.
