Antonio Rüdiger will leave Chelsea when his contract expires at the end of the season, with Real Madrid leading the race to sign the centre-back on a free transfer.
Chelsea made an unsuccessful attempt to tie Rüdiger down before the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich left the club unable to hand out contracts or sign new players. The Stamford Bridge club’s offer was worth more than £200,000 a week but the Germany international turned it down and is expected to make a decision on his next move soon. It is understood that Chelsea’s last attempt at talks with Rüdiger broke down after a request to the club for a large signing-on fee and agents fee for the player’s representatives made an agreement difficult to reach.
