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Manchester United are ‘in the picture again’ for defender Antonio Rudiger after his contract renegotiations once again stalled.

The centre-back is set to be a free agent in the summer when his current contract expires, with months of contract negotiations yet to yield any positive results.

He’s subsequently been linked with clubs all over Europe, including Manchester United, who were believed to be keen courtesy of current manager Ralf Rangnick.

Reports earlier this year had even indicated that United had held talks with the Stamford Bridge man over a potential move this summer.

In the meantime, Chelsea are continuing their efforts to get him signed to a new deal, and it appears they were close to getting what they want.

SportBILD journalist Christian Falk reports that negotiations between the two parties were going well, with Rudiger’s salary agreed upon and just the signing bonus left to deal with.

That, though, has been left in tatters courtesy of the transfer ban, which has been imposed upon the club through the sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich by the UK government.

Those have left contract talks at a standstill and reopened the door for Manchester United to try and get the Germany international.

“Rüdiger had turned down an offer at the beginning of the year, but now he was really, really far along,” Falk told SportBILD.

“His own salary arrangements are said to have been clarified. It’s only about the signing bonus; his brother is there negotiating for him, that might have been tricky at times, but that shows that he wanted to stay at all costs.

“Now, of course, everything is in question. Then you can’t negotiate any further; you can’t sign anything and get better.

“New talks started now? I’ve heard that Paris Saint-German and Real Madrid have already made an offer at the turn of the year. Juventus and Manchester United are also in the picture again, but it’s rather quiet at Bayern at the moment.”

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