Chelsea have reportedly made an offer of a contract extension to Antonio Rudiger in order to rebuff Real Madrid off the German defender.
According to a report by Sky Sports, Chelsea are stepping up their efforts to tie Antonio Rudiger down to a new deal, having opened talks over a renewal with his representatives. Real Madrid are interested in signing the German defender before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Antonio Rudiger joined Chelsea from AS Roma in the summer of 2017 and has since embarked on a roller-coaster of a ride at Stamford Bridge. Initially a regular feature for the Blues, the 28-year-old lost his spot in the side under the tutelage of Frank Lampard but has since returned to his pomp ever since Thomas Tuchel took over as the new manager.
To date, the German international has made 152 appearances for Chelsea while chipping in with seven goals and three assists along the way. His progress under the tutelage of Tuchel has not gone unnoticed either, with one of the biggest clubs in the world showing an interest in him. We are, of course, talking about Real Madrid.
The interest from Real Madrid is understandable considering they have only managed to fill the void of one of the two departed centre-backs – Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane – in the form of David Alaba. While Eder Militao has been stepping up since the turn of the year, Carlo Ancelotti is still in need of another central defender.
That is because apart from Nacho, the Real Madrid boss is bereft of quality options for the heart of his side’s defence. As a result, Los Blancos have been linked with a host of centre-backs in recent times, including Aymeric Laporte, Niklas Sule and Pau Torres, among others.
Rudiger, too, is a viable target for Real Madrid, and more so because he could possibly be poached away on the cheap, seeing as he has entered the final year of his contract with Chelsea. Chelsea, though, are attempting to tie him down to a new contract, and have already begun talks with his representatives.
The report also adds that Rudiger has insisted to Tuchel that he is committed to Chelsea, which should aid the Blues’ cause. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Chelsea can tie the 28-year-old down to a new deal or if Real Madrid can do anything to turn his head late in the summer transfer window.
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