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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.
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Chelsea made an unsuccessful attempt to tie Antonio 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.
The prospect of Antonio Rüdiger leaving will be a major blow for Thomas Tuchel, who is already set to lose Andreas Christensen on a free transfer. Christensen is also out of contract and the Denmark centre-back is poised to join Barcelona at the end of the season.
The situation is likely to force Chelsea's next owners to spend heavily on Tuchel's defence this summer. The European champions were keen to keep Rüdiger, who has been one of their best performers this season, and have made several attempts to keep him. However, it has not been possible to agree fresh terms with the 29-year-old, who earns in the region of £90,000 a week, and Chelsea's inability to act now has convinced Rüdiger to seek offers from elsewhere.
The former Roma defender has been able to talk to foreign clubs about a pre-contract agreement since 1 January. Rüdiger's representatives have held talks with Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, but Madrid are believed to be favourites. Madrid's manager Carlo Ancelotti is a fan of Rüdiger and has asked the Spanish club's hierarchy to sign him.
The uncertainty hanging over their defence increases Chelsea's need for their takeover to go through soon. The three bidders hoping to buy Chelsea from Abramovich could find out who has been selected as the club's preferred bidder this week.