Chelsea are reportedly set to lose Antonio Rudiger at the end of the season after being offered a contract worth less than £140,000-a-week.
According to a report from Football Insider, Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has made up his mind to move on at the end of the season after being angered by the contract offer presented by the club.
The German international has firmly established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League over the past eleven months or so under Thomas Tuchel. A fan-favourite at Stamford Bridge, the 28-year-old is set to enter the final six months of his contract, leading to non-stop speculations over his future.
It has been claimed that the German international has already agreed terms over a move to Real Madrid, while there have also been reports insisting that the defender is in talks with Paris Saint-Germain. Amidst all the speculation in the media, Chelsea still held on to hopes that they could extend his contract beyond the ongoing campaign.
However, it seems like that might not be the case, as Rudiger has firmed up on his decision to leave the reigning champions of Europe when his current deal expires. It is because the 28-year-old has been left massively disappointed and disrespected with the latest contract offer proposed to him by the west London giants.
As per the report, Chelsea’s latest offer to the former AS Roma man falls below the £140,000 per week deal that they have presented to star playmaker Mason Mount, who is expected to pen a new long-term contract with the club imminently.
Having allegedly felt disrespected by the lowly offer, Rudiger is believed to have made up his mind to bid farewell to Chelsea at the end of the current campaign. If true, this development will come as a major blow for Tuchel & co. given how crucial a player the centre-back has grown into for the team over the past year.
Indeed, Rudiger has started 22 games across all competitions for Chelsea this term, more than any other outfield player. Furthermore, with Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen all set to enter the last six months of their respective contracts at Stamford Bridge, the Blues could be left in a precarious position with regard to their defensive options.
However, reinforcements are already being targeted, with Chelsea believed to be in pole position to sign Torino’s Gleison Bremer. Nonetheless, failure to extend Rudiger’s contract will be seen as a blow by the European champions.
