VfB Stuttgart centre-back Antonio Rudiger has admitted he is flattered by reports linking him with a move to Manchester United.
The once-capped Germany international, who debuted against Poland in May, is believed to be on manager Louis van Gaal’s radar as the Dutchman seeks to add to his defensive options following an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to third-tier side Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday.
French Ligue 1 side AS Monaco are also reportedly keen on Rudiger, but it is the interest from United that has caught the player’s attention.
“Of course I am aware of the interest from Manchester United,” Rudiger told Sport-BILD.
“They are definitely one of the top clubs in Europe and they are in a league I have been dreaming of. The Premier League is very physical, intense, breathtaking and with a lot of goals.
“My focus, though, remains on playing for Stuttgart. For now, I just have to try and progress as a player.”
The Berlin native, whose current contract at the Mercedes-Benz Arena expires in the summer of 2017, has scored two goals in 47 Bundesliga appearances over the past three seasons.
Origi chose Liverpool over Spurs
Belgium international forward Divock Origi has revealed he chose Liverpool over Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Origi, who is currently on loan at Lille OSC, joined the Reds (from Lille) for £10 million in July. He will spend the entire 2014/15 campaign on loan in France.
The 19-year-old caught the eye of several top European clubs in England, Italy, Germany and Spain during a successful World Cup run with Belgium in which the player leapfrogged Romelu Lukaku in Marc Wilmots’ pecking order after just one match.
“I took a lot of time to sign because, suddenly, there were a lot of clubs interested in me,” Origi said.
“Big Spanish, Italian and German clubs wanted me but my dream was to play in the Premier League. I also went to Tottenham but of the clubs interested, I chose Liverpool.
“The coach alled me often, he invited me over, showed me a compilation of my matches since I was in the Under-15s and knew everything about me.
“At the club, everyone knew me, from the person doing the video analysis to the chef. My father told me to choose with my heart and I chose Liverpool and I don’t regret it for a minute.”
Origi has bagged one goal through three Ligue 1 games, including two starts, for third-placed Lille this term.
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