After Chelsea's disappointing performance, but crucial victory, against West Ham, Thomas Tuchel confirmed what many fans feared to be true: Antonio Rudiger will be departing Stamford Bridge this summer. The German center-back has decided to leave the Blues as a free agent this summer as the London giants were unable to offer him the terms he wanted due to their sanctions.
But where will the highly-rated defender go? There have been links with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Bayern Munich and PSG. However, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, one club has won the race for the 29-year-old's services.
That team is none other than Los Blancos. Fabrizio took to Twitter to report the agreement between Real Madrid and Rudiger, writing that a four-year deal has been struck. The player is yet to put pen to paper on a Santiago Bernabeu contract but that is a matter of formality as only the "final details" remain.
Real Madrid have reached verbal agreement with Antonio Rüdiger. Contract not signed yet - but Real Madrid are now closing on Rüdiger deal on a free: here we go soon! #RealMadrid
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 25, 2022
It's gonna be a long-term deal. Final details to be discussed soon, before signing the contract. pic.twitter.com/Jn0uvP0UQa
The agreement between Toni Rüdiger and Real Madrid has been reached on a four year deal, valid until June 2026. #RealMadrid
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 25, 2022
It's matter of final details before signing the contracts. No official announcement before the end of the season, even if Toni will sign in May. pic.twitter.com/gnTAv6GYr3
Despite this, no official announcement will be made until the end of the season. Ancelotti's side are currently focused on wrapping up the Liga title and winning their UEFA Champions League semifinal showdown with Manchester City while Chelsea have an FA Cup final against Liverpool to prepare for.
Marca have gone into this signing in detail, revealing that one huge factor in getting this over the line was the reduction in Rudiger's wage demands. The German wanted 12 million euros per season, but with no top European club willing to offer him that money, Antonio was forced to lower that figure.
Should Real Madrid complete this deal, then this will be one of two possible Bosman transfers that will strengthen the squad. The other one is Kylian Mbappe, the PSG superstar who is also out of contract this summer. While the Ligue 1 champions are fighting to keep the French ace in Paris, Los Merengues are the favorites to land the 2018 World Cup winner.
