Man City plan to beat Chelsea to £30m centre-back

Manchester City are reportedly keen to wrap up a deal for Roma's Antonio Rudiger ahead of league rivals Chelsea, The Mirror claims.

The German international has earned a regular role the Giallorossi setup in recent months after he managed to recover from a knee injury which kept him out for the first-half of the campaign.

Rudiger had been the subject of a £24m approach from Chelsea last summer, but the deal was scuppered after the centre-half sustained an ACL injury just prior to the Euro 2016 in France.

The 24-year-old has since recovered from the long-term problem to take part for the Capital outfit, and City has tracked him in each and every game he has participated.

According to The Mirror, Pep Guardiola is eager to push through a move in the coming months as he seeks to fend off any late interest from the Blues.

City are in need of reinforcements in central defence with the likes of Vincent Kompany and Aleksandar Kolarov facing uncertain futures at the club.

Roma currently value Rudiger at around £30m.