Antonio Rudiger has shifted the onus onto Chelsea when it comes to the Germany international's contract saga after claiming the club will decide whether he remains in west London.
The 28-year-old is out of contract with the Blues come the end of the current campaign and talks over an extension have stalled, sparking rumours a Stamford Bridge exit is imminent.
Rudiger has reportedly already received offers from European giants such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain who are keen on securing his signature for free in the summer.
Surprisingly, as things stand Rudiger is one of the lowest paid senior players within the current crop of Chelsea stars on £90,000 per-week.
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The reigning European champions offered Rudiger an extension that would see him pocket £140,000 per-week but that figure was drastically below what the defender was expecting and the German was thought to be upset with the offer.
He has been firm in his stance that he expects at least £225,000 a-week, though Chelsea are yet to come back with a concrete offer since their last one in August of last year.
Negotiations between both parties resumed in late December and while there is a tad more optimism a deal can be struck, Rudiger has suggested the delay stems from Chelsea's side rather than his.
"I feel great here, I have always said it. I think the way I play you can see that I’m happy here," the German told The Athletic.
"But there are also other people who have to make decisions."
Rudiger is not the only centre-back at Chelsea out of contract in a couple of months, Andreas Christensen is also nearing the end of his current deal.
However, the Denmark international has angered the Blues hierarchy by walking away from two previous contract offers and as a result is now below Rudiger in Chelsea's list of priorities.
Fresh after helping his side win the FIFA Club World Cup Final against Brazilian side Palmeiras, Rudiger explained how he wants to win the Premier League for the first time.
“Of course I want to win the Premier League," he added.
"Does it keep getting better and better for me at Chelsea? Yes. We had never won this trophy (FIFA Club World Cup) in Chelsea’s history before.
"I’m very delighted that we didn’t give up, that we did our thing. We tried everything and won.
“The Premier League is the toughest competition to be honest because Manchester City set a very high standard.
"We have to get to a point where we can go on a long marathon."
The Blues look all but out of the title race this season given they are 16 points behind table-toppers City, meaning Rudiger may have to commit his future to Chelsea once more if he is to fulfil his dream of lifting the Premier League.
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