Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer
According to ESPN, Real Madrid are assessing the option of signing Chelsea ace Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer after a stellar performance against them in the UEFA Champions League.
The 29-year-old is being touted as a possible defensive reinforcement for the Spanish club in the summer. His current contract with the Blues expires on 30th June 2022. Whilst the club hasn’t committed his future to any other club, he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.
Rudiger has been a sturdy presence at the back. He has been an integral part of our backline ever since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel playing an important part in our success these last couple of seasons. The German international has great experience at the elite level playing 196 matches, bagging 12 goals and seven assists across all competitions for the Blues to date.
Is there a ‘Real’ Rudiger move on the cards?
The former AS Roma is a key part of our core team at Stamford Bridge. Along with his strength and physical prowess, the German defender also possesses a mean long-range strike that can put most forwards to shame. He has also bagged some key goals for us this season.
That means that Rudiger is more than capable of making an impact on both halves of the pitch. This transfer rumour is all the more precarious considering that Andreas Christensen also has a contract that expires at the end of the campaign. Whilst Cesar Azpilicueta has an automatic contract extension due to his appearances this season, it looks unlikely that he would at Stamford Bridge past the 2021-22 season.
In such circumstances, losing a key centre-back such as Antonio Rudiger that too on a free deal could be a big loss. Los Blancos are known to be pretty shrewd negotiators. His performance at the Santiago Bernabeu last time around would have given the Spanish giants a first-hand view of what the German international is capable of.
He also bagged the second goal on the night with an impressive header and at 29, is potentially in his prime years as a professional. That being said, it would be interesting to see how our new owners will tackle the situation at hand. Will they give in to Rudiger’s demands or look to the transfer market for suitable defensive reinforcement.
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The 29-year-old centre-back has won the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, FA Cup as well as the UEFA Super Cup. Should he make way, it would be a mammoth task to bring in someone who can fill his boot at Stamford Bridge and the interest from Real Madrid thus puts forth a very concerning prospect.