Chelsea player now has ‘priority’ set for future – Blues ‘still trying’ to avoid transfer

Last Friday, Marca reported Real Madrid are optimistic to sign Antonio Rüdiger as a free agent next summer, while Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia is working to stop the exit by trying to convince him to sign an extension

The defender’s contract expires in 2022 and the west London club’s efforts to tie him to a new deal has not been fruitful so far.

On December 15th, SportBild explained the 28-year-old has attracted interest from the La Liga side, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. It was also stated PSG sporting director Leonardo has already held a meeting with the centre-back’s agent a few weeks ago.

These claims, especially PSG’s efforts to sign the Germany international, are highlighted in today’s AS.

It’s claimed the Champions League winners are ‘still fighting’ to extend the former AS Roma man’s contract, although they are ‘beginning to resign’ losing Rüdiger as he ‘already rejected’ Chelsea’s latest proposal.

The newspaper says PSG are entering a ‘cold war’ with Los Blancos for trying to take Kylian Mbappé in the last window. These two sides also face each other in the Champions League knockout stage and it is ‘another reason to enter the auction’ for Thomas Tuchel’s man.

Despite the Paris club’s plan to beat Carlo Ancelotti’s side, AS explain Rüdiger’s ‘priority’ is to arrive in Madrid and he’s made it known to his environment.

The first contacts between the Chelsea star’s camp and Real Madrid have been ‘positive’, but a decision has not been made by either party. The report further states ‘it will be in the coming weeks his arrival in Madrid could be finalised’.

Real Madrid are optimistic of landing Rüdiger, who has ‘already rejected’ the renewal offer made by Chelsea. The Blues are ‘still fighting’ to avoid the player’s exit, but it looks like they will not be able to keep him beyond this season.