Real Madrid plan January talks for Chelsea’s German star amid contract standoff

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger wanted by Real Madrid on free transfer

According to Marca (h/t The Sun), the Spanish giants Real Madrid are looking to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, who is out of contract next summer.

The 28-year-old is yet to sign a new deal with The Blues and is free to begin negotiations with foreign clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement as soon as the transfer market opens in January.

The Bernabeu club agreed on a similar pre-contract with David Alaba in January of this year.

However, talking to The Guardian, Rudiger has revealed that he is happy at Chelsea as negotiations regarding his future continue to rumble on.

“The most important thing is that I feel happy here. I think if people look at it, they can see I’m happy. About the contract situation, I talk with the club. This is for nobody’s ears. It was how I said it would be after the Euros – there would be talks.”

Despite that Madrid will look to continue their pursuit for the German defender but will surely be facing competition. Juventus, Manchester City, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly in talks with the defender, with Bayern Munich also linked.

Meanwhile, The Blues are still hopeful that they can tie him down to a new deal, but it is claimed he wants his £100,000 salary doubled. The defender has played 162 times for two-time Champions League winner since joining from Roma for £32million in 2017.

Talks with the Blues have stalled after he was disappointed with their opening offer. And now Real are set to swoop, with negotiations to begin in January over a potential pre-agreement.

Rudiger is an important part of Thomas Tuchel’s set-up at Stamford Bridge. The German international will be a big miss if does leave, and it will sting even more if it’s on a free transfer.