Antonio Rudiger’s agents have started ‘putting pressure’ on Chelsea to offer what they want, with only 15 days left before he can freely negotiate for a move elsewhere.
The German defender is out of contract in the summer, and so when the January transfer window opens, he will be legally allowed to negotiate a free transfer with any club in Europe.
A whole host of them have lined themselves up, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain all keen on Rudiger’s signature.
The ‘countdown begins’, say El Español, who make it clear that if Marina Granovskaia does not raise her offer, Rudiger will be sold to the highest bidder.
Real Madrid are the ‘best positioned’ to secure the defender’s signature, but these final two weeks are ‘key’ for the operation.
Rudiger knows this situation is a ‘unique opportunity’ for him to win a big contract at one of Europe’s biggest sides, and the ‘roulette wheel’ is already spinning as those clubs place their chips on him.
Real Madrid are talking about a €10m a year contract, which would be a ‘fairly high amount’ for the Chelsea man as he would arrive as the third choice between David Alaba and Eder Militao.
However, the chance to simply play for Madrid is ‘attractive enough’ to Rudiger, and he would be ‘interested in any offer’ that they make.
His entourage are using that as part of their negotiations with Chelsea, ‘putting pressure’ on the Blues and making it clear that they do not match Rudiger’s demands; his future will lie elsewhere.
Real Madrid intend to be a part of the game, and the club’s fans are ‘rubbing their hands together’ at the prospect of Rudiger’s arrival.
They are also not absolutely desperate for his arrival, given they have Alaba, Militao and several highly-rated youngsters ready to make the step up.
Rudiger would simply be an addition to that, meaning that the idea he’ll join for anything could be seriously tested.
Either way, ‘time us running out’ for Chelsea.
