Antonio Rudiger, who will be a free agent when the season ends, is open to switching to Bayern Munich, although Real Madrid is also an option.
According to El Nacional, Antonio Rudiger could end up leaving Chelsea when the current campaign ends, with Bayern Munich considered his preferred destination. However, Real Madrid are also in the race for the soon-to-be free agent, with his contract expiring in the summer.
Rudiger looked likely to leave Chelsea last January after being frozen out of the side by former manager Frank Lampard. The defender’s absence coincided with bad results, ending with Lampard’s departure and the arrival of Thomas Tuchel.
The former PSG manager immediately brought Rudiger back into the fold, and the centre-back helped Chelsea win the Champions League. Despite becoming a key part of Tuchel’s setup, the German defender is yet to commit his future at the club, leading to speculation of a move away when the campaign ends.
At 28, Rudiger can have plenty more years at the top level, with the question being where. As things stand, Chelsea and the defender have not progressed with discussions over a new contract. With his current deal expiring next summer, he has become an attractive proposition for top clubs across Europe.
The likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are heavily linked with a move, while Inter Milan have also seen links to Rudiger emerge recently. However, with the calibre and the kind of salary demands the German international might make, the Italian side can count themselves out for now.
Rudiger is expected to demand £400,000-per-week from interested clubs as he eyes a big contract to further his career. Chelsea are not likely to break their wage structure and pay exorbitant wages to the defender, meaning they have to face the possibility of him leaving.
Bayern Munich have been heavily linked with a move. Their primary reason could be to replace David Alaba, who left in the summer, while also finding a new leader for their backline. Meanwhile, the future of Niklas Sule is also a big doubt, due to an expiring contract and interest from Newcastle United.
The Bayern chiefs believe Rudiger has the quality to be an asset for the team and are ready to sit down and discuss a move. They are receiving positive responses from the German international and his camp regarding a move, although the Bavarians are not expected to pay exorbitant wages similar to the player’s demands.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are also firmly in the race, having already initiated talks with the player and his camp in recent weeks. Florentino Perez wants to find an experienced, star name partner for Alaba in central defence. The club have also not sufficiently replaced Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos after the duo left in the summer. Rudiger could be considered the ideal choice for Madrid given his current form and experience.
As things stand, Rudiger could sign a pre-contract agreement with either of those clubs or others starting from January, if they are outside of England. His departure could come as a big blow for Chelsea and Tuchel, who have been reliant on him for most parts since the German manager’s appointment.
