Having regained his place at Chelsea following Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at Stamford Bridge in January, Antonio Rüdiger was vital in helping his side win the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.
The defender’s fine displays convinced the Blues to extend his contract as his current deal will expire in 2022.
Even though he has confirmed extension talks have started, the two parties haven’t found an agreement so far.
Real Madrid are ‘monitoring’ the 28-year-old’s situation at the west London club after receiving good reports about him, says AS on Friday.
Los Blancos have sorted out the centre-back position for new season, and are looking at the Germany international for next summer. So far, they haven’t held talks with the ex-AS Roma man, but he’s on the list of transfer targets.
Real Madrid could have accelerated for his signing, had Chelsea ended up taking Sevilla’s Jules Koundé. The operation to sign the Frenchman, for now, has slowed as club invested big on Romelu Lukaku.
AS explain Rüdiger has a ‘good relationship’ with David Alaba and Carlo Ancelotti knows him well, having followed his evolution before ending up at Chelsea.
If the player decides against accepting Chelsea’s renewal offer, he can end up joining Real Madrid on a free transfer, the same path taken by Alaba.
Tuchel will be a ‘problem’ for the Spanish giants since the manager ‘wants to have Rüdiger at all costs’.
Until and unless Rüdiger decides to sign an extension, these rumours are likely to keep cropping up next season.
