Ian McGarry from The Transfer Window podcast has explained that Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger is getting “tempted” to leave Stamford Bridge.
Rudiger, 28, is a player who’s out of contract with Chelsea at the end of the season.
The centre-back’s future has been widely speculated about in recent times, but a fresh update may alarm some of the Blues fanbase.
Journalist McGarry has reported that La Liga trio Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all interested in trying to sign Rudiger.
It is understood that the Germany international wants to stay in West London beyond his current contract, however, is growing fed up in negotiations with Chelsea over a fresh deal.
“It is our information that Rudiger has instructed his representatives to stall or indeed not participate any longer in negotiations with Chelsea despite the fact that it’s his preferred choice to stay at Stamford Bridge,” McGarry said.
“That’s because he has interest from both Madrid clubs, Atletico and Real, also Barcelona. Rudiger is tempted by the prospect of moving to La Liga, however, he would prefer to stay in the Premier League and at Chelsea.
“The offer of a contract worth around £120,000-a-week on his current deal is not something that he is considering to be his value. Therefore, he is looking at his other options.”
Rudiger deserves high end Chelsea contract
For Chelsea, Rudiger is one of the first names in the starting line-up each week at present.
His resurgence under manager Thomas Tuchel in 2021 has been magical and it’s hard to picture the Blues XI without him on the left of the back-three. Ally McCoist claimed he’s been “absolutely tremendous” since returning to the Blues XI.
The aggressive centre-half is showing consistently he’s a top-class player, so his new contract should reflect that. Chelsea need to put him among the high earners quickly because others are lurking.
Blues could lose a lot on Rudiger
Rudiger, who cost Chelsea £29million in 2017, can’t be allowed to leave on a free.
He’s one of the most in-form defenders across the whole of Europe, so would surely be worth a fortune if his contract was tied down at the Bridge for the foreseeable future.
You’d surely have to rob the bank if you wanted to sign a replacement in the current market of similar quality.
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