Real Madrid 'lead the race to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger'

Real Madrid ‘lead PSG and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer after holding positive talks with the Chelsea star… and they are ready to meet his £200k-per-week wage demands’

  • Real Madrid reportedly lead the race to sign Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer 
  • Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich are all interested in the Chelsea defender 
  • However, it is reported that positive talks have been held with Madrid
  • Los Blancos are reportedly willing to meet Rudiger’s £200k-per-week demands 

Real Madrid have reportedly emerged as the favourites to land Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer next summer, with Los Blancos holding positive talks with the German over a move.

Rudiger has been locked in negotiations with the Blues over a new contract and the European champions face a race against time to strike terms, with his current deal expiring in the summer.

The German is one of four defenders whose future is of concern to Thomas Tuchel, with Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Thiago Silva also facing contractual uncertainty – but the Brazilian is expected to sign an extension.

Real Madrid reportedly lead the race to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger for free

And The Guardian reports that Rudiger’s uncertain future has opened the door for Madrid to hold talks with the 28-year-old over a summer transfer, and that negotiations are moving at an encouraging pace.

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also understood to be interested in Rudiger, but Madrid’s positive talks with the Chelsea man puts the Spaniards ahead in the race.

Chelsea’s negotiations with Rudiger have stalled in recent months, with the defender demanding a new wage of £200,000 per week from his current £90,000-per-week salary. 

The German’s contract expires at Stamford Bridge next summer and talks have stalled

Rudiger is demanding £200,000 per week and Chelsea have offered £140,000 per week

He is understood to have turned down an offer of £140,000 per week from Chelsea and the same report claims that Madrid are willing to meet his hefty demands.

As things stand, Rudiger’s relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy has not broken down and he is still viewed as a strong personality in the dressing room, having flourished since Tuchel took the reins last January.

Earlier this year, Rudiger said he was ‘happy’ at Chelsea despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.

Madrid are understood to be willing to meet his demands and have held positive talks. Pictured is club president Florentino Perez

‘The most important thing is that I feel happy here. I think if people look at it, they can see I’m happy,’ he told The Guardian.

‘About the contract situation, I talk with the club. This is for nobody’s ears. It was how I said it would be after the Euros – there would be talks.

‘There was a talk between Marina [Granovskaia] and my agent. We have the situation where we are at now and I have nothing to do with all the speculation.

‘This is not in my mind. I’m focused on what I’m doing because this is why I wake up every morning.’

Elsewhere, Azpilicueta has been linked with a free move to Barcelona next year, with Chelsea staff reportedly growing concerned that the Spaniard will wave goodbye to Stamford Bridge after nearly 10 years in pursuit of a new challenge. 




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