Chelsea report: Antonio Rudiger set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger — (Image credit: PA)

Chelsea are set to lose Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid for nothing, after the German rejected terms on a £140,000-a-week contract.

That's according to reports circulating that claim that the defender is Spain-bound, following nearly five years in the Premier League in which Rudiger has won the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League titles.

The German has become a key member of countryman Thomas Tuchel's team over the past year. Rudiger has excelled at becoming an aggressive defender in a back three and is now well-considered as one of the best centre-backs in England.

There are strong rumours that the Blues are looking to sign Jules Kounde, while Fenerbache defender Attila Szalai, a highly-rated Hungarian international who reportedly idolises Thiago Silva, has been tipped to join.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have prioritised free signings amidst recent financial uncertainty – so the rumour makes sense from Los Blancos' perspective.

Liverpool have also been linked to the 28-year-old. Jurgen Klopp is said to be a fan of Rudiger's, with the Reds apparently keen on adding an older head to a backline that is yet to fully integrate summer signing Ibrahima Konate.

Rudiger has a market value of around £30m on Transfermarkt.

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Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.