CHELSEA contract rebel Antonio Rudiger is reportedly expected to join Real Madrid in the summer… by the Real Madrid players themselves.
Rudiger has rejected Chelsea’s approaches over a contract extension and looks destined to leave the club at the end of the campaign.
1
Talks between the two parties have been momentarily ditched after the 28-year-old turned down a £140,000-a-week offer in the summer, according to the Telegraph.
Rudiger is claimed to want DOUBLE that figure.
And his stand-off with Chelsea has led to Real Madrid’s players believing he will join them in the summer, with the club willing to match his demands.
The squad, which includes former Blues Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, are ‘convinced’ that Rudiger will swap London for Madrid at the end of the season.
He’s allowed to begin negotiations with overseas clubs from January 1.
Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for the defender, although Real Madrid are firm favourites for his signature.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Chelsea want the defender to stay at the club, and are reportedly prepared to up their £140,000-a-week offer.
But they are wary about being held to ransom by the player and his representatives, which could cause problems down the line when it comes to negotiating with other players.
It was reported earlier this month that Rudiger already had an ‘informal agreement’ to join Real Madrid in the summer.
But talks may become more concrete in the near future with the club willing to meet his wage demands.
Rudiger came close to leaving Chelsea last summer after being frozen out under Frank Lampard, until Thomas Tuchel’s arrival changed his fortunes.
He told Sky Sports: “Yeah [I was close to leaving], the way things were going for myself but also for the team.
“But in the winter period I was not keen to leave, to be honest. It was more in the summer period where I wanted to leave.
“But Thomas Tuchel came and the rest is history. He opened a new door… he played a big role.”
Now though it looks increasingly likely that he will move on at the end of the current campaign.
⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
