Relief for Chelsea fans as Romano claims 28-year-old defender still in contract negotiations with the club

Fabrizio Romano gives update on Chelsea’s talks with Antonio Rudiger over new contract

Speaking on his Twitch stream (h/t football.london), transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed that Chelsea and Antonio Rudiger are still locked in discussions over a new contract.

The 28-year-old German defender has become a vital part of Thomas Tuchel’s three-at-the-back defensive set-up and was influential in their UEFA Champions League triumph earlier this year.

However, his future at Stamford Bridge is still wrapped around in doubt brought about by his fast expiring contract. The German international will become a free agent next summer if he doesn’t put pen to paper on a new deal.

For the Blues, that would be a big blow. Not only is Rudiger in the prime years of his career, but they would also risk losing a top centre-back for nothing in transfer fees.

What next for Rudiger?

To prevent that, the club have taken the sensible step of entering talks over a new contract. And it would come as good news to Chelsea fans that as per Romano, there is still hope over reaching an agreement over an improved deal.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are two clubs that have taken interest in the player recently. But with talks still going on over a deal, the club would be hopeful of retaining the former AS Roma defender.

Chelsea should look to control the mass exodus of centre-backs until they can get in new faces at the back. Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori, and Kurt Zouma all departed the club this summer.

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Add to that Thiago Silva’s age and Rudiger’s contract uncertainty, Marina Granosvkaia and co may be in a tough spot when the next summer transfer window approaches.