Chelsea plan improved John Ruddy bid

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to improve on their initial offer worth £5m for Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy.

The Blues had a bid quickly rejected by the Canaries yesterday, with Norwich refusing to entertain a deal which included a series of performance-related add-ons for the England international.

Ruddy is less than 12 months into a four-year contract at Carrow Road but Chelsea will return with an increased offer for his services next week, according to the Evening Standard.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho is desperate to provide first-choice stopper Petr Cech with improved competition for his place next season, following the release of perennial reserves Hilario and Ross Turnbull last month.

Mourinho has also been linked with a move for Diego Lopez, a keeper he brought to Real Madrid just six months ago.