Chelsea star open to Barcelona transfer

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is open to the prospect of joining Barcelona during the January transfer window.

The German has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of Thiago Silva earlier this summer.

He has yet to play a single minute in the Premier League this term with Kurt Zouma and Silva being the preferred centre-back pairing under Frank Lampard.

According to Sport, Rudiger is open to pursuing a fresh challenge away from the Blues and he is willing to join the Blaugrana at the turn of the year.

The same publication claims that the Blues are open to parting ways with the centre-back, provided they receive the right offer for his services.

Ronald Koeman's side are also keeping tabs on Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi, who could be available on a cut-price deal in January.

Mustafi's deal expires at the end of the current season and the Catalan giants have identified him as an alternative, if they fail to land Rudiger.