Chelsea star demands £200,000-a-week wages to sign new deal at Stamford Bridge

Contract News: Chelsea could now have to pay more to Antonio Rudiger

According to news from Eurosport, Chelsea might have to pay more for Antonio Rudiger to renew his contract. The German defender currently is on a £140,000-a-week salary. It was expected to be bumped up by £20,000 but now Chelsea could be forced to shell out around £200,000-a-week overall.

Antonio Rudiger had slipped to the fringes under Frank Lampard in the first half of the season. However, as soon as Thomas Tuchel took over, he became one of the first names on the team sheet. He has started 24 games under Tuchel, only missing three encounters. He played a vital part in Chelsea’s top-four finish and Champions League win.

Even after his resurgence this season, there remain question marks over his future. The Blues could lose the former Roma man for nothing next season if a new deal is not agreed soon. He was linked with an exit last summer, with Spurs, PSG and AC Milan keen to sign him.

Now, Rudiger and his camp are in a stronger position to ask for a better raise. His current deal gets him £140,000 per week. Initially, a £20,000 raise was on the cards. However, with just a year remaining, Chelsea could well have to hand him close to £200,000 per week. Despite the player being keen on a stay, he feels that he has not always been appreciated at the club.

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Chelsea are running out of time to secure his future. Given how he has become a vital part of Tuchel’s new-look side, it is imperative that the Blues convince the defender to put pen to paper on a new deal soon. It will be up to them to convince Rudiger that he is a vital part of the club now.