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Former Premier League defender Erik Meijer believes Antonio Rudiger would be better off staying with Chelsea than moving to the likes of Bayern Munich.

Rudiger is out of contract next summer, and that has predictably led to numerous rumours about his future.

Chelsea are keen to keep hold of him, and talks about a renewal have been well underway for months without any progress.

It’s believed that’s due to Rudiger’s demands, with the German looking for a big increase in wages having seen what the Blues were willing to pay Jules Koundé had they signed him from Sevilla in the summer.

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That’s something Chelsea haven’t offered as yet, and that’s got the big clubs circling, with the giants in Europe keeping a close eye on the situation.

One of those are Bayern Munich, who may need to replace Niklas Sule next summer and are rumoured to be willing to offer big wages to get Rudiger.

That seems unlikely given their failed talks with David Alaba last year, and Meijer believes Rudiger would be better off staying in England anyway.

“If I were him, I would give more weight to the present than the past in the contract poker,” he told Kicker, relayed by Sport Buzzer.

“It’s important that Thomas Tuchel is backing him, not that Chelsea didn’t back him last year.

“Of course, Rudiger would also fit in at Bayern, Julian Nagelsmann has praised him, but this central defender fits better in England with his style.”