Antonio Rudiger pencilled in for Real Madrid medical

Antonio Rudiger is reportedly on the verge of completing his move to Real Madrid, with Los Blancos scheduling the medical checks for the Chelsea defender.

According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Antonio Rudiger is getting closer to joining Real Madrid with each passing day. The Chelsea defender is pencilled in to undergo his medical checks with Los Blancos in the coming days, with the completion of the Bosman move seemingly a mere formality.

Antonio Rudiger has become one of the most coveted defenders in Europe over the past year, completing a brilliant turnaround in form and fortunes after slipping down the pecking order under Frank Lampard. Thomas Tuchel has brought the best out of the German defender, with Chelsea reaping the rewards of the same.

The 29-year-old has enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign, featuring 47 times across all competitions while chipping in with five goals and four assists. But Chelsea will lose Rudiger as a free agent in the summer transfer window, with Thomas Tuchel recently confirming his departure. And the player’s next destination appears to be Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants hold a long-standing interest in Rudiger, having made their first attempt to sign him last summer. Since then, Rudiger has been Real Madrid’s priority target to bolster the central defensive unit in the upcoming summer transfer window, with his impending status as a free agent making him more attractive.

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The German international has popped up on the radars of several high profile clubs across Europe, including bitter rivals Barcelona. But for a long time, widespread reports have claimed that Rudiger’s likeliest destination after leaving Chelsea is his dream club Real Madrid.

The speculation recently turned into reality, with the reliable Fabrizio Romano claiming that the Chelsea defender has reached a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid. The 29-year-old will be a solid addition to a defensive unit that has faltered at times this season, with Eder Militao and David Alaba having too much burden on them.

Rudiger is now inching closer to becoming a crucial solution at the back for Real Madrid, with his medical checks scheduled for the coming days. Meanwhile, Chelsea will be desperate to seek a solution to replace Rudiger, especially following Tuchel’s confirmation of his departure.