Transfer News: La Liga giants show interest in 28-year-old Chelsea star

Barcelona have entered the race to sign Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger

According to Dean Jones from transfer insider via Twitter (h/t The Express), Barcelona have joined the pursuit to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger. The Spanish giants are also believed to be closing in on signing the defensive duo of Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta.

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the immediate future of Rudiger at the club. The German international is also said to be attracting interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. He has become an integral part of the backline under Thomas Tuchel.

It was being claimed that Chelsea offered the 28-year-old a new contract that would see him pocket £200,000-a-week but he has been holding out for £225,000-a-week in wages. His current tension with the Blues has seen many suitors lining up for his services and the Catalan giants have also entered the race.

The Spanish club have been pretty impressive in the January transfer windows. They have snapped up exciting attackers like Ferran Torres and Adama Traore. They also managed a crunch deadline day deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Barcelona could now be looking to add some defensive reinforcements to their squad.

Barcelona, Antonio Rudiger, and Chelsea’s alarming defensive issue

Whilst the likes of Gerard Pique have a dearth of experience, the Spanish defender is in his 30s and the Catalonian club could be looking for a suitable long-term replacement. The former AS Roma defender has a great aerial presence and his experience at the elite level is another plus point.

Rudiger, Christensen, and Azpilicueta’s current contracts expire at the end of the summer. It would prove to be a big blow if any of them were to leave on a free transfer at the end of the campaign. Thomas Tuchel is a great admirer of the German international.

He has showered his praises on the 28-year-old defender time and again. The German manager could be left scrapping for other options should all three of them depart. The former VfB Stuttgart defender has played an integral role in guiding the Stamford Bridge outfit to the UEFA Champions League title last season.

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With each passing day, the possibility of Rudiger departing the club seems more of a reality. There is also an air of uncertainty looming around the future of the Danish and Spanish central defenders. This could really leave Chelsea in a vulnerable spot.

Whilst the London-based club would be looking to do everything in their power to keep their key players at the club, only time will tell if Rudiger stays at Stamford Bridge or is prised away to another place.