Spanish giants still fixated on Chelsea defender amid contract standoff

Real Madrid are still keeping tabs on Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger amidst contract standoffs

According to Diaro AS (h/t ESPN), Real Madrid are still keeping an eye on Antonio Rudiger as contract negotiations between Chelsea and his representatives have not been successful.

Rudiger will become a free agent at the end of the 2021-22 season and can agree on a pre-contract agreement with other clubs in January. The Blues have been in talks for renewal for some time but has not found a common ground to agree upon.

The 28-year-old is said to have asked for a €12m net annual salary which has not been accepted by Marina Granovskaia. Real are said to be keeping an eye on the situation as they want to bolster their backline following the departure of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos.

Carlo Ancelotti and the sporting department are said to be interested in getting the services of the German international. They want to add more depth to their squad and increase competition among Nacho, Eder Militao and David Alaba.

While the salary could pose a stumbling block, the Madrid club are said to be looking at options to free up their wage bill. Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Isco and Eden Hazard are claimed to be some of the players who could be on the way out next year.

Thomas Tuchel is a huge admirer of the player and was crucial in turning around his future at Stamford Bridge. He was behind the ranks under Frank Lampard but was able to make his mark at the backline with the help of his current boss.

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The English club have recently agreed to a contract extension with Trevoh Chalobah as they hope to safeguard against a potential centre-back crisis. Renewing Rudiger’s contract is crucial, but if we can not agree on the monetary terms, we have to look at life without the German.