Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Rudiger all have something in common. They are set to be free agents and will be allowed to speak to other clubs by January 1, 2022.
With the rising cost of player purchases, clubs haved looking for cheaper options to remain competitive. Clubs like Real Madrid that used to make forays into the ‘galactico’ market now look inwards or catch them young.
The other option is to buy players on a free transfer. The current situation puts Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain at a disadvantage. They may lose world-class players for free unless they decide to sell the player in January.
Antonio Rudiger is a top-notch defender who has turned down several offers from Chelsea as his contract nears its end. The German, however, claims he wants to stay in west London as Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich hover.
Rudiger still wants to remain at Chelsea
Few Chelsea players will be in the market and not have suitors. The level at which Chelsea plays has seen their players' stocks rise, and they haved courting interest from other clubs. With several top clubs across Europe taking a keen interest in Chelsea players, Antonio Rudiger is one of the most feasible to leave.
The 28-year-old defender has a contract at Stamford Bridge that expires next summer and is close to beginning negotiations with other clubs. Discussions between the player and the club have been going on, but both parties have yet to agree on a new deal.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Rudiger is interested in remaining at Stamford Bridge, and the defender has maintained that position from the onset. The latest offer handed to him remains unacceptable as Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich hover.
Rudiger wants more money to remain at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea is currently making him an offer that would make him change his mind. Goal reports that the latest offer made to the defender is around £7million per year. It is a figure that the defender thinks is below his value, with Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Kai Harvetz and Romelu Lukaku way ahead of him in earnings.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid has jumped ahead of the queue for the defender. The Madrid club maintains a growing optimism of their chances of landing the defender in the summer.
Chelsea remain calm
Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich hope that Antonio Rudiger does not sign for Chelsea until he has had the chance to speak with them.
Chelsea wants to keep the defender and have not given up on tying him down to another contract. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is calm about the impasse as he wants his fellow German at the club.
Tuchel said he knows that Rudiger can speak to other clubs in January.
Chelsea brought Rudiger from Roma in 2017, with the defender becoming a dependable force. Only Kai Harvetz has made more appearances than the defender this season.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
