Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger contract offer had lower wage than Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Chelsea proposed a new contract for Antonio Rudiger last summer that would have seen him earn less than Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The Blues look set to lose the 29-year-old centre-half this summer when his contract runs out. Chelsea did not agree a new deal with him before sanctions were imposed on owner Roman Abramovich, and they cannot discuss fresh terms with him currently due to the ongoing nature of the UK government's restrictions.

Club chiefs tried to negotiate a new deal for Rudiger last summer – but their only offer appeared as something of an 'insult'. The former Roma man was – and still is – one of the club's lowest-paid players, earning £90,000 a week.

According to The Athletic, he was offered a contract that would have seen him earn less than Loftus-Cheek, who pockets £150,000 a week. Despite the midfielder's goal against Crystal Palace at the weekend, he is a fringe player for the Blues.

Rudiger, on the other hand is a key part of Thomas Tuchel's team. He played a starring role in the club's Champions League triumph last season and has gone on to start 47 games for the club this term. Loftus-Cheek, by comparison, has started only 14.

Back then, it is claimed that Rudiger's mind was made up to leave Stamford Bridge. But Chelsea reopened negotiations in January, and things began to look more positive. That was until Abramovich was sanctioned in March.

Earlier this month, Tuchel still sounded upbeat about the situation, even though time is now running out. "He’s still our player, we still think there’s a good chance he stays our player once things are solved," he said.

Do you think Rudiger will still be a Chelsea player next season? Let us know in the comments section.

"Our hands are tied. We cannot speak, negotiate with him and his agent. Fair enough if it’s true that he listens to other offers. That’s the way things go but I am still confident."

Manchester United and Real Madrid have both been linked with moves for Rudiger should he decide to depart west London. But Blues fans will be hoping the club's ownership situation is sorted in time to keep the German defender at Chelsea for the foreseeable future.

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