According to several reports, Manchester United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick is interested in snapping Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger for free next summer. Reports also suggest that Ralf Rangnick has made contact with Antonio Rudiger’s agent to explore the possibility of signing the defender next season.
The German defender is out of contact in just 6 months. Rudiger’s current contract expires in summer 2022 and he is allowed to talk to other clubs from January. He has been a key figure and leader at the back for Chelsea since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel. But despite his importance in the Chelsea squad a new long-term contract is yet to be agreed between the two parties.
Chelsea’s new contract offer for the German defender has been on the table since the start of the season. But according to reports, Antonio Rudiger is demanding upwards of £400k a week from Chelsea to sign a new deal. This £400k a week contract would see him become the highest earner at Chelsea and one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League.
Reports earlier this month suggested that Antonio Rudiger’s brother and agent Sahr Senesie held talks with Real Madrid over the last couple of weeks. It was also reported that the two parties have reached an ‘informal agreement’. The defender will move to Santiago Bernabeu next summer if the deal goes through. But with Ralf Rangnick making contact with Rudiger’s agent, the race to sign the defender still looks wide open.
Rudiger has been ever-present in Thomas Tuchel’s side. This term he has featured in 21 games in all competitions and has recorded two goals and four assists.
Can Antonio Rudiger solve Ralf Rangnick and Manchester United’s woes at the back?
Manchester United signed French World Cup winner and four times Champions League winner Raphaël Varane in the summer. But the French star has struggled with injuries and is yet to really settle in at Old Trafford. Despite having one of the most expensive and very good defense on paper United have struggled in defense so far.
The Red Devils could move to a five at that back and use Antonio Rudiger in the right-sided centre-half position. There is no doubt that Rudiger has been one of the best defenders in the league since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival. Manchester United will be hoping that Rudiger can steady the ship at the back and build a good platform defensively.
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