Manchester United are the only English option being considered by Antonio Rudiger for a summer transfer but the defender will seek assurances about their managerial plans before any serious talks.

Rudiger, 29, is yet to make progress over any commitment to remain at Chelsea, where his contract expires this summer.

Insiders close to the situation have indicated to GiveMeSport that the player is still leaning towards the prospect of finding a new club and the biggest personal offers right now are from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

A new Chelsea owner may yet be able to talk him into staying - by declaring a new deal with huge new terms - but at this stage there has been no breakthrough and because of sanctions against the club nothing could be agreed at this moment anyway.

One big hurdle for Rudiger to understand though is their vision and whether it will be Erik Ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino or someone else coming in as the next boss.

The 6 foot 3 defender has also been linked with Newcastle United and while they would love the chance to speak to Rudiger, they are not yet at the level he is willing to consider.

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This summer he will be viewed as one of the most in-demand out-of-contract players given his superb consistency at Chelsea and the stage of his career.

United would be willing to pay him in line with leading players - who earn between £200,000-£300,000-a-week. The club's motive behind signing a player of Rudiger's calibre is to increase competition for places in the back line at a time when there are particular concerns over Harry Maguire's form.

United still have faith in the skipper yet want to have the potential to add depth and quality, with Phil Jones and Eric Bailly set for exits.

Other names being considered by United's recruitment staff at this stage are believed to be Borussia Dortmund's Manuel Akanji, Villarreal's Pau Torres and Wolves' Max Kilman, according to GiveMeSport sources.

The priority for the next transfer window was expected to be a defensive midfielder and while that position is undoubtedly being looked at, United have other problems that have opened up over the course of this season.

At least one new forward is going to be needed as the club also need to prepare for life beyond Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial - and maybe even Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo, depending on how their situations open up.