Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has reportedly decided to join Juventus on a four-year deal this summer.
The 29-year old’s contract will expire at the end of the season, and the Blues will be unable to give him a new deal due to UK government penalties imposed on club owner Roman Abramovich.
Rudiger has been said to be exploring a contract extension at the club after arriving for £31 million from Roma in 2017.
Newcastle, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid have all been linked with a move for the defender, but he might wind up staying in Serie A next season.
According to the Italian publication La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Germany international has agreed to join Juventus.
Rudiger ‘will sign a four-year agreement with the Serie A giants, according to the source, since he prefers them to both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and he will earn roughly £5.4 million each season.
Last week, Blues manager Thomas Tuchel expressed concern that Abramovich’s sale of the club may affect contract discussions with players who are out of contract in the summer.
‘The basic truth is that we may not be able to avoid it – it is what it is,’ Tuchel added. ‘You never know; it might have a favorable or bad impact on the discussions.’
‘We cannot forecast, and I prefer not to do so because it causes me to lose concentration, but everyone is in a different circumstance and has different feelings about it (the sale).
‘I’m still hoping for the best, and I believe we have something to contribute.’ Chelsea is and will continue to be a powerful club.
‘Our owner has decided to sell the club, but he is selling a powerful, robust, and well-organized organization.’
Rudiger has established himself as one of the top defenders in the world since Tuchel took over at Chelsea in January 2021.
He was a key figure in the Blues’ Champions League title last season and their subsequent Club World Cup victory.
Continue >>> Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger
According to the latest report, Antonio Rudiger, as of now, hasn’t agreed on a deal to join Juventus this summer amid claims in Italy. [via @Nathan_Gissing]
5 players who can replace Antonio Rudiger at Chelsea
No Chelsea supporter wants to see Antonio Rudiger depart, but with his contract set to expire at the end of the season – and talks to extend it deadlocked – the only practical option may be to look for a successor.
1. Niklas Sule | Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is keeping an eye on Antonio Rudiger’s departure from Stamford Bridge, while Chelsea is keeping an eye on Niklas Sule’s departure from the Allianz Arena.
Both teams appear to be in the same boat, with their respective center-backs unwilling to extend or renew their contracts.
With Sule’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, this may be Thomas Tuchel’s most cost-effective way of replacing Rudiger.
2. Jules Kounde | Sevilla
Jules Kounde’s probable move from Sevilla to Chelsea was one of the most talked-about topics during the summer transfer season. Despite Thomas Tuchel’s best efforts to sign the 22-year-old, the Blues were unable to come to an agreement with the Spanish club.
As the transfer window drew to a close, Sevilla reportedly increased their asking price by £12.8 million. Chelsea will, however, continue to pursue their main goal in the months building up to the winter transfer window.
3. Alessandro Bastoni | Inter Milan
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is said to have suggested former colleagues Alessandro Bastoni and Milan Skriniar to the club’s administration, according to sources in Italy.
While the Blues are unlikely to sign both center-backs from the reigning Italian champions, they will be forced to make a decision.
The young Italian international has shown that he can compete at the greatest level and will have no trouble settling in at Stamford Bridge.
However, bending the Nerazzurri’s will to Chelsea’s will during the January transfer window may need a big bid.
4. Maxence Lacroix | Wolfsburg
According to rumors, Thomas Tuchel had his eyes set on signing Maxence Lacroix, one of Europe’s most exciting talents.
During his first season at Wolfsburg, the speedy center-back shone, making 30 Bundesliga games and directly contributing to two goals.
Tuchel is said to be a great fan of Lacroix, who is only 21 years old and would be the ideal long-term successor for Rudiger.
Lacroix’s contract with Wolfsburg was recently extended after he made nine appearances this season, but the Blues are unlikely to be put off.
Chelsea may find it difficult to make a substantial deal to bring the kid to Stamford Bridge if he continues to produce regularly in the Bundesliga.
5. Marquinhos | Paris Saint-Germain
During Thomas Tuchel’s two years as coach of Paris Saint-Germain, he worked with Marquinhos and Thiago Silva’s defensive pairing.
While the Parisians are unlikely to allow Marquinhos to depart, Chelsea will strive to bring the PSG star back together with his old center-back partner and boss.
During the last transfer window, the Parisian club allegedly turned down an £86 million approach from the Blues for Marquinhos.
If the 27-year-old Brazilian international is serious about landing a lucrative transfer to the Premier League, Stamford Bridge may be his next stop.
