With the transfer window shutting within the next few days, Chelsea are still none the wiser over Antonio Rudiger’s future at the club.
The German is out of contract at the end of the campaign and is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club.
As of yet, no announcement has been made regarding the next stage of the German’s footballing career whether that be an extended stay at Stamford Bridge or a move elsewhere. One thing that is for certain though is that Rudiger has plenty of interest in his services.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain have been strongly linked, whilst Real Madrid are also noted to be huge admirers of the former AS Roma defender.
However, Chelsea have potentially been handed a considerable boost to their hopes of keeping Rudiger in west London beyond the end of the 2021/22.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Los Blancos have identified a number of options as they add to their defensive ranks ahead of next season.
Chelsea target Niklas Sule is also apparently being considered with the German set to leave Bayern Munich also at the end of his contract.
It is also suggested that Arsenal defender William Saliba is now an option, with the Spanish side having previously scouted the young Frenchman during his time with Saint Etienne, whilst he has also caught the eye this campaign amid his loan spell back in his homeland with Marseille.
Of course, should Madrid make a play for either Sule or Saliba, then that will only bolster Chelsea's hopes of keeping Rudiger.
It might not be as simple as the Spanish giants signing the Arsenal man though.
football.london understands that the Frenchman intends to return to north London after his spell with Marseille - that decision coming amid rumours he could make a permanent switch to the Stade Velodrome.
Whether that stance alters after learning of Real Madrid’s reported interest remains to be seen but it is certainly clear that both Arsenal and Saliba can play a key role in Rudiger’s future across the capital should they both turn down the prospect of a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu.
