Club ‘working to convince’ Chelsea player to join their project – Blues man viewed as ‘strategic signing’

Antonio Rüdiger has just over six months left on his contract at Chelsea and his refusal to sign an extension so far at Stamford Bridge has alerted several clubs across Europe.

A list of suitors, which includes Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, have lined themselves up to snatch the defender on a free transfer next summer.

On December 10th, Marca reported the La Liga side are optimistic of acquiring the 28-year-old’s services at the end of this season. A week later, AS explained the former AS Roma man has ‘already rejected’ the latest renewal offer made by the Blues.

Today’s edition of AS says that Los Blancos, in order to overcome challenges posed by the state-owned clubs, have changed their transfer plans in recent years. They have relied upon taking youngsters and making ‘strategic signings’ of players who enter the final year of contract.

This is what Carlo Ancelotti’s side did when taking David Alaba in the last window and they plan to replicate next summer, to sign Rüdiger and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé.

It’s claimed the PSG star is the ‘primary target’ for Real Madrid, but they are ‘also working to convince’ the Germany international to join their project.

Rüdiger was integral in helping Chelsea win the Champions League season and is now a key figure in Thomas Tuchel’s plans at the west London club.