Rudiger makes final PSG and Real Madrid transfer decision as Chelsea contract runs out
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, 28, has had his biggest resurgence under Thomas Tuchel, making him a mainstay in the first team and a vital player alongside Thiago Silva in that backline that helps glue everything together defensively.
However, his contract ends at the end of the season, However, we understands that the £140,000 a week offer is still somewhat up to £60,000 short of the £200,000 that the ex-Roma man is looking for, as he assesses everything on the table before making a final decision.
Meanwhile, according to latest reports, Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has made it known that he would prefer to move to Real Madrid over Paris Saint-Germain despite a reported £6million offer from Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Rudiger knows how much Tuchel admires him as a vital pawn in his Champions League winning rear-guard, but at the same time, the player in question also is aware that whatever he decides next will prove to be perhaps the last big pay day of his career.
Despite recent optimism that what looked like a helpless situation for Tuchel and co. regarding the state of Rudiger’s new contract could be resurrected, the German manager knows he has done all he has can to persuade the defender to stay whilst also reaffirming his ‘100% trust’ in the Chelsea board to make the right decision.
“I don’t know if it helps if I take him out for a lot of coffees, it might even push him out! I don’t feel he needs a lot of coffees with me,” Tuchel joked when quizzed on the 28-year-old’s future ahead of the Chesterfield win.
“He is a guy who needs to trust you. He needs to feel the connection and trust. He needs to feel it by minutes and actions.
“I don’t feel Toni needs a lot of words, coffee talks or invitations for dinners or whatever. He is a top professional. This is what he proves and nothing has changed. The talks are in good hands. I trust the club 100%, trust in the player and it is a no problem situation for me.
“Also, Toni can still deliver, he did a fantastic match in a back four. He is super reliable. Nothing has changed, the points of view haven’t changed and once something changes. You will be the first to know.”
Unfortunately this somewhat sarcastic optimism isn’t what is the flavour of the day in the sports media as we enter a new week of the January transfer window.
In fact, all the talk surrounding Rudiger is based on what the player is likely to do now that the Parisians have really solidified interest in securing his services come the end of the season.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Leonardo and the rest of the Paris Saint-Germain board have made an official offer to the German’s representatives regarding a £6m move to the French capital.
In spite of all the good things Rudiger has said on Pochettino’s side in the past, his heart is only in two places at this current moment- London and Madrid.