Antonio Rudiger and Chelsea poles apart after defender’s contract demands emerge
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has upped his contract demands after reportedly snubbing a rival offer from Real Madrid.
The German international is out of contract in the summer and his future is up in the air at Stamford Bridge. Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that he wants the centre-back to stay. But the former Stuttgart man is free to speak to foreign clubs.
And one of those clubs interested in the defender is Real Madrid. He has reportedly turned down a £173,000-a-week offer after starting negotiations with Real.
The 49-cap international turns 29 next month and his next contract is likely to be the final long-term agreement of his playing career.
He is has made it evident that he is looking at his next deal from a financial point of view.
“Like always, I’m fully committed to the cause,” said Rudiger in January. “Talks are between my side and the club, and that’s everything you need to know.
“You have to think about your family,” he said. “My kids were born here in London so that tells you that my family feel great here.
“The rest is up to other people to make decisions and then we will see if we come together or not.”
Rudiger is believed to be on around £100,000 a week. And suggestions were that he wanted that doubling to stay in the capital.
However, after speaking with Real, according to The Atheltic, he now wants £225,ooo, plus a signing on bonus.
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Rudiger one of four out of contract
Rudiger was integral to the club winning the Champions League last season and he has made 32 appearances this time around.
He has become a firm favourite under Tuchel and he is trying to leverage his value against a new contract.
It’s understood the Blues have offered him £140,000-a-week to commit his future to the club, but the offer has been rejected.
To make matters more complicated for Tuchel, Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are also out of contract in June.
Silva, 37, may opt to retire, but the club are keen on offering him another one-year deal.
Christensen and Azpilicueta have also been offered deals, but neither have agreed to stay as yet.
READ MORE: Declan Rice ‘holding out’ for preferred transfer choice as surprise casualty named
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