Antonio Rudiger has a soft spot for Chelsea’s rivals Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea are reportedly on the brink of signing Roma star Antonio Rudiger, with the defender undergoing a medical in Los Angeles this week.

It’s understood the Premier League champions have agreed a deal of around £36million for Rudiger but, back in 2014, the Germany centre-back outed himself as a secret fanboy of Chelsea’s bitter London rivals Arsenal.

In quotes which have come back to haunt him, Rudiger admitted to adoring legends Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, while revealing that he ‘often wears’ the shirt of Gunners superstar Alexis Sanchez.

‘I have been following Arsenal since the days of Henry and Bergkamp,’ the 24-year-old said.

Antonio Rudiger is a big fan of Alexis Sanchez (Picture: Getty)

‘I have always dreamed of the Premier League. I watch videos of Arsenal all the time on YouTube and I often wear the current Alexis Sanchez shirt.

‘My heart beats for Arsenal.’

Arsenal have been linked with Rudiger in recent seasons but Arsene Wenger is not considering a move for the German this summer.

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