Antonio Rudiger has become one of Chelsea’s standout performers since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival.
But the Blues boss now faces the risk of losing his key man as interest in the defender has notched up amid his impressive displays, and his future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain as he enters the final six months of his contract.
It is looking increasingly likely that the Germany international could leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Antonio Rudiger has become one of Chelsea’s standout performers under Thomas Tuchel
Sportsmail reported this week that Rudiger could become one of the highest paid defenders as Europe’s elite queue up to make lucrative formal offers of up to quadruple his current wage from January 1.
The 28-year-old currently earns in the region of £100,000-per-week at Chelsea, but if he is set to leave the Premier League in 2022 he is set to do so as as one of the best paid defenders in football history.
With Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus all lining up, Sportsmail takes a look at Rudiger’s transfer options.
The defender has six months left on his contract and has attracted interest from Europe’s elite
REAL MADRID
The LaLiga giants are the favourites to sign Rudiger and have an informal agreement in place with the defender, according to reports from The Independent.
Real Madrid appeared to take a defensive blow in summer after losing veteran Sergio Ramos on a free transfer to PSG and Raphael Varane to Manchester United.
But the Spanish side have fared well without their defensive stalwarts with David Alaba and Eder Militao holding down the fort from the backline.
Eder Militao (right) and David Alaba (left) have impressed in Real Madrid’s backline this season
Militao has excelled under Carlo Ancelotti and Rudiger would have to impress immediately to dislodge the centre-back from the heart of Los Blancos’ defence.
But Rudiger’s arrival at the Bernabeu would provide Madrid with the defensive cover they have lacked over the last few seasons and the added depth would only be an asset to Ancelotti.
Real are among the clubs who have met with Rudiger’s brother, Sahr Senesie, who represents the defender, and have offered a lucrative deal to lure him away from Stamford Bridge.
PSG
PSG made a number of high profile signings this summer to bolster their defensive ranks, including Real Madrid veteran Sergio Ramos on a free transfer.
But the centre-back has made just one appearance for the Ligue 1 giants after struggling with calf issues since arriving at the club as a free agent.
Mauricio Pochettino has been left searching for defensive answers with his side having conceded in eight of their last nine games
Sergio Ramos has sustained another injury just one week after making his PSG debut
Rudiger would bring the Parisians needed defensive cover and earlier this year he revealed he had been close to making a move to the French capital in the past.
Speaking to Kicker back in May, Rudiger said: ‘I was really about to leave [Chelsea].
‘It was the start of a season with a European Championship at the end and I felt it was my duty to look for alternatives to the DFB in order to get enough match practice.
‘PSG and Thomas Tuchel were the most serious option.’
BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern are believed to have already contacted Rudiger’s agent and brother Sahr Senesie over an offer.
While, Bild claim the Bundesliga outfit can ‘easily’ offer the wages the Germany international is demanding.
But the Bayern backline is well staffed. The club brought in Dayot Upamecano in summer for £38million to add to the likes of Lucas Hernandez, Tanguy Nianzou and Niklas Sule, while Benjamin Pavard can also play inside.
Although Bayern offer Rudiger a strong financial incentive, he would face a challenge to break into the Bundesliga champions’ side.
The potential lack of minutes could deter him from returning to his homeland, especially when his options look brighter at other members of Europe’s elite.
Defender Dayot Upamecano (left) arrived at the Allianz Arena this summer from RB Leipzig
JUVENTUS
A move for Rudiger could prove to be smart forward planning for the Serie A side.
The German would be a strong defensive partner for Matthijs de Ligt when Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have retired.
However, the mega-money offers from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich could blow Juventus out of the race for his signature.
Juve are believed to be unable to compete with the £400,000-per-week payday other clubs are offering with Matthijs de Ligt already on their books with a salary in the region of £400,000-per-week inclusive of all add-ons.
But the Dutchman has reportedly been offered to the Blues as a replacement for Rudiger and Juve can offload him to the Premier League they could see their target move the other way.
Matthijs de Ligt (left) is thought to earn around £400,000-per-week inclusive of all add-ons
CHELSEA
Rudiger appears keen to stay at Stamford Bridge with journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming he would love to remain at Chelsea.
But as the club continue to refuse to meet his demands, the defender is inching close to the exit.
Negotiations appear to be ongoing at Chelsea with Tuchel insisting last month that Rudiger knows that the club want to tie him down to a new deal but with the money on offer elsewhere he looking likely to go.
Tuchel insists: ‘Everybody wants him to stay, it’s clear but sometimes there is a delay in these things and there is obviously a delay.’
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel (left) has insisted everyone at the club wants Rudiger to stay
‘He knows what he has here, a fantastic club, fantastic league. He’s a competitor. We’ll have a bit of patience and hopefully a happy end.’
‘They’ve got to pay him so he feels he’s paid what he should be, which is upper echelons of the squad,’ Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport following Rudiger’s fine performance in a 3-0 win at Leicester.
The Blues have offered Rudiger a new deal worth in the region of £140,000-per-week, far less than the £10m per year he wants.
Chelsea could return with an improved offer but with the central defender officially allowed to speak to overseas clubs from January the issue of his future will begin to become clearer.