Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen on bringing Chelsea duo Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Roma at the next available opportunity.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho has ambitions of raiding his former club for two of their first-teamers.
The Roma coach actually does have history with both individuals.
He was the manager who handed Loftus-Cheek his senior Chelsea debut, way back in 2014.
Ruben on the rise
Over half a decade later and the midfielder is still part of the senior squad, despite facing plenty of obstacles along the way.
Rupturing an Achilles tendon at the end of the 2018/19 season put a stop to what had been a very promising term under Maurizio Sarri.
A loan move to Fulham helped regain some fitness and confidence, even if the performances were still slightly below par.
Following a summer of uncertainty over his next move, Loftus-Cheek has re-announced himself to the Chelsea faithful, thanks to a string of strong showings.
Rudiger on the fall
Whilst the 25-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge grows brighter by the day, Rudiger’s continues to be shrouded in darkness.
His deal runs out in June, meaning foreign teams can organise a pre-contract arrangement to sign the defender from January 1st.
The German international and Chelsea’s chain of command are currently in disagreement over wage demands.
Rudiger wants a lot more than is seemingly being offered.
Fail to come to a suitable conclusion and the centre-back will be able to leave as a free agent.
Which is why Mourinho appears to be sniffing around the situation, aware of a possibility to pinch a fine player for next-to-nothing.
This is not the first time the Portuguese boss has attempted to lure Rudiger from South West London.
Earlier this year, Rudiger revealed he had been on the verge of leaving Chelsea whilst Frank Lampard was in charge.
“I was close. There were really like two teams, maybe one team I was considering, that was PSG to be honest,” he said.
“There was (a) call also with Mourinho, but this is something at the end of the day that didn’t happen, and with Tuchel also, (but it) didn’t happen.”
Recruiting Rudiger would return him to the stadium he left in 2017 after Roma sold him to the Blues for £29m (BBC).