Juventus are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Chelsea center-back Antonio Rudiger, who is out of contract this summer.
With Chelsea unable to discuss new contracts with players due to the fines imposed on the club, Rudiger is believed to be close to leaving Stamford Bridge.
According to a report from The Sun, Rudiger is being billed as the successor to the veteran Giorgio Chiellini to serve in the capacity of the defensive mainstay for Juventus in the seasons to come.
Juve believes that giving the 29-year-old top billing in Turin, will help lure him away from rivals, who are also chasing the German’s signature when his contract expires in the summer.Juventus is said to have already given the German center-back a four-year contract worth £22.5 million and now wants to make him the focal point of a reconstructed defense.
Rudiger is also being pursued by FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. Chelsea is resigned to losing their star defender for free at the start of the next season.
Chelsea players’ contracts situation?
Since Chelsea cannot renew players’ contracts because of the sanctions imposed on Chelsea’s owner Abramovich by the UK government.
Currently, Chelsea has four senior players whose contracts will expire at the end of the season. Antonio Rudiger, César Azplicueta, Andreas Christensen, and Charly Musonda are the players whose contracts are coming to an end, and the club is working to resolve their contracts issue.
However, the situation is likely to change if Chelsea gets a new owner.
Chelsea’s boss Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that the impact of the sale of the club has an unpredictable impact on negotiations with players who are out of contract in the summer.
‘The bottom line is maybe we can’t help it – it is what it is,’ Tuchel said. ‘You never know maybe it has a positive effect on the negotiations or maybe it has a negative effect.
“We cannot predict and I would like not to predict on scenarios because you just lose focus, but everyone has a different situation and feels different about it (the sale).
‘I hope for the best outcome still, I think we have something to offer still. Chelsea is a strong club and will stay a strong club.
Reports from multiple sources suggest that Barcelona is already keeping tabs on César Azplicueta and Andreas Christensen. Jose Mourinho’s Roma is also keen on bringing Charly Musonda to the Roma.