Chelsea and West Ham defensive target Antonio Rudiger is set to leave VfB Stuttgart this summer, it has been claimed.

The Hammers and Monaco were believed to have made an approach for the German defender last summer but Stuttgart knocked back their interest to keep him at the club.




The 22-year-old missed large chunks of the season with injury troubles but still managed to make a solid impression with the 19 appearances he made in the Bundesliga.

A number of top clubs are still interested in landing the defender and according to Stuttgarter Zeitung, Rudiger is keen to end his stay at Stuttgart this summer.
 


His contract with Stuttgart expires in 2017 but it has been claimed that it contains a release clause of around €10m.

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The defender is aware of interest surrounding him and is keen to move to the next level in his career at the end of the season by accepting a fresh challenge.

The 23-year-old is expected to announce his decision to leave Stuttgart in the next few weeks.

It remains to be seen whether either West Ham or Chelsea step up on their interest and make a move for Rudiger during the summer transfer window.

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