Antonio Rudiger’s protracted free transfer to Real Madrid has been all but completed, with a formal announcement expected at the end of the season.
Chelsea had hoped to keep the Germany international beyond the end of his current contract, but failed to come to terms with a player who has been integral to the success achieved under Thomas Tuchel. In total, it is believed the Blues made three separate offers to the 29-year-old, the last of which would have seen him pick up £230,00-per-week.
But after failing to reach an agreement during the first half of the season, their hands were tied in the second, following the news that owner Roman Abramovich had been sanctioned. The UK Government’s decision to freeze the Russian billionaire’s assets and place Chelsea under a special operating licence, meant they were unable to continue negotiations to keep Rudiger at Stamford Bridge.
