Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea are reportedly facing the ‘growing likelihood’ of losing defender Antonio Rudiger on a free.
Rudiger has been a key member of the squad under Tuchel, but the Germany defender continues to face an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
The 28-year-old has just six months on his remaining deal at Chelsea, meaning Rudiger will be able to negotiate freely over a pre-contract with another club from next month onwards.
According to the Daily Mail, Rudiger is facing the prospect of becoming one of the highest-paid defenders in football, with several European club’s said to be willing to quadruple his wages.
Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all said to be interested in giving Rudiger a formal offer in January.
The same report says Rudiger is worth £70million and clubs will look to use the money they would save on a transfer plus the players valuation to offer higher wages.
Rudiger current wages see him earn around £100,000-per-week but a move elsewhere could see him earn as much as £400,000-a-week.
Such a staggering amount would see Rudiger in-and-around the same wage bracket as Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt, who is rumoured to be the best-paid defender in the world, earning around £400,000-a-week inclusive of add-ons.
Chelsea have offered Rudiger a new contract worth £140,000-per-week, but no such agreement has been struck between the two parties.
It seems likely that the Blues will return with an improved offer in a desperate attempt to keep hold of the experienced Germany international, however, matching what could be proposed elsewhere may be seen as a step too far.
Thankfully for Tuchel and Chelsea, such uncertainty off the pitch has not affected the defender’s performances on it, with Rudiger remaining focused on the task ahead.
Do you think will convince Rudiger to sign a new contract? Let us know in the comments section.
Rudiger joined Chelsea in 2017 from Serie A side Roma and has gone on to make more than 150 appearances across five seasons for the west London side.
But the issues surrounding Rudiger’s future at Stamford Bridge is not the only contract saga facing Tuchel’s Chelsea.
No fewer than three other defenders at the club – Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Andreas Christensen – are also potentially facing a Stamford Bridge exit.
Silva joined Chelsea in January 2020 from PSG and has been a regular starter under Tuchel this season, while both Azpilicueta and Christensen have struggled with consistency.
The January transfer window is set to open in little more than three weeks’ time, and it's opening is likely to bring more clarity over the future of the four Chelsea defenders.
Chelsea will welcome Leeds to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday.
Tuchel’s side are currently third in the Premier League with 33 points – after a shock defeat at the hands of David Moyes’ West Ham – and are two behind leaders Manchester City and one adrift of Liverpool.
