Real Madrid are reportedly prioritising a move for Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, who is not interested in extending his stay at Stamford Bridge.
The German international, 28, is into the final six months of his contract at Chelsea and has snubbed an extension from the west London club.
The Blues have prioritised extending their star defender’s contract and have tabled an offer worth around £7million-a-year, but the 28-year-old has made up his mind of leaving Stamford Bridge for free at the end of the season.
According to Goal, Real Madrid are confident of signing Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea, despite the centre-back being coveted by several elite European clubs, including Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. The reports add that the Los Blancos would be willing to meet the German’s €12million net per season salary demands, which Bayern Munich would struggle with.
Rudiger has improved leaps and bounds to become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea in January. The 28-year-old defender was a crucial member of the Pensioners’ side that beat Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League final last season.
Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid—A good move by Los Blancos?
Real Madrid lost both their defensive stalwarts in Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane earlier this summer, leaving new manager Carlo Ancelotti in desperate need for reinforcements. The signing of David Alaba from Bayern Munich has proven to be an excellent piece of business, with the Austrian international adding experience and leadership skills to the Real backline.
While Eder Militao is developing well with every passing week alongside Alaba and Nacho Fernandez a reliable back-up option, the Los Blancos do have room to further improve their backline. As things stand, Carlo Ancelotti is interested in adding another defender and Rudiger would be perfect for the La Liga giants.
Strong and pacey with great aerial ability, Rudiger is undoubtedly in the form of his life and consistently delivering the goods for Tuchel’s Chelsea. The 28-year-old is a top header of the ball and can also score a few goals for his team, as demonstrated by his two strikes this season. He’s extremely confident on the ball and likes to maraud forward before making a key pass to his teammate in a promising area of the pitch.
The German international is a smart reader of the game, makes crucial interceptions and tackles and uses his physicality to great effect to win back possession for his team. Rudiger would enhance Real Madrid’s defence, whilst building a solid partnership with Alaba. A leader at the back, the experience the 28-year-old will bring to the Spanish club would be immense.
On a potential free transfer next summer, Rudiger would be a massive addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid squad.