According to several reports, Real Madrid are very confident about signing Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer next summer and are leading the race to sign the German defender.
Antonio Rudiger has been a key figure and leader at the back since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel and played a key role at Chelsea as the club lifted the UEFA Champions League last season. While Chelsea had the best defensive record in the competition last season.
Despite his importance in the Chelsea squad, he 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. Currently, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are leading the race for signing the German defender on a free transfer.
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.
Rudiger and his agent felt disrespected and underappreciated by Chelsea’s latest contract offer worth just £130,000 a week. Following the club later increased the offer to £150k per week. While star signing Romelu Lukaku who is the same age as Antonio Rudiger earns around £350,000 a week.
Real Madrid ready to offer Rudiger £400k a week
Europen clubs elsewhere are reportedly prepared to offer Rudiger £400k a week to leave Chelsea. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are all prepared to offer Rudiger a contract next summer.
Real Madrid lost their star centre half pairing this summer. Club captain Sergio Ramos left on a free transfer to PSG. While Manchester United penned down a deal with Raphael Varane. However, the club did manage to sign Austrian centre half David Alaba on a free transfer for reinforcing their backline.
Real Madrid will be hoping to sign Rudiger for free next summer and make him start alongside Alaba in the heart of the defence. Rudiger would slot perfectly into the Madrid defence alongside Alaba and they can form a rock-solid partnership at the back.
Rudiger has been ever-present in Thomas Tuchel’s side. This term he has featured in 17 games in all competitions in which he has recorded two goals and two assists. With Antonio Rudiger’s future being still a big question, Chelsea have shortlisted Ronald Araujo and Matthijs de Ligt to replace Rudiger if he was to leave on a free.
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