Antonio Rudiger would be the ‘perfect signing’ for Manchester United, according to Paul Parker.
The Chelsea defender has entered the last six months of his deal at Stamford Bridge and is set to leave on a free transfer this summer.
Negotiations on a new deal for Rudiger appear to have reached an impasse; with wages thought to be the major stumbling block.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are rumoured to be interested in signing the 28-year-old, but Parker wants his old side to bring the Blues’ centre-back to Manchester.
The former United defender believes that Rudiger would be the perfect partner for Raphael Varane, and could provide the kind of solid basis that would allow the Red Devils to challenge for top honours again.
“If he was to stay at Chelsea. He’s very influential and the fans idolise him," Parker told bettingexpert last year.
“To come to Manchester United, I would say that is ambitious. I would understand why he would want to and I think he would make a difference.
“If you had him next to Varane, what a difference you’re talking about. Good pace and you’re talking about someone who’s won a World Cup, Champions League and then you’ve got a centre-half, who in the old-school way of talking is actually a leader.”
Parker believes that Rudiger’s outspoken nature on the pitch is one of his best attributes and would be a huge boost to United’s backline.
He added: “He actually shouts and screams, bosses people about, dictates the people.
“When people aren’t doing it, he tells them because he doesn’t make that many mistakes himself. He keeps things simple. He’d be absolutely perfect.
“It all depends on him being ambitious. Does he want to go to Manchester United and be the difference-maker at the back?
“‘I’m the one that took them forward’ and all of a sudden the momentum started and they started winning games and two years down the line, they go on and win a Premier League and everyone says he’s the signing that made the difference because the back line was poor. Then I would certainly get that.”
Former England striker Kevin Phillips echoed Parker’s views and believes United would be ‘lucky’ to sign the Germany international.
“He’d be an amazing signing for Man United,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s a strange one – you wonder why he would want to leave Chelsea when they are where they are right now. But clearly, something’s not right.
“It would be brilliant for Man United if they could benefit. He’s been amazing for a number of years now and any club would be lucky to get him in.”
