Reports | Real Madrid eyeing Antonio Rudiger acquisition on a free transfer

But the 28-year-old defender has less than a year remaining on his deal and is free to talk to interested parties from January. According to Goal, Rudiger has no intention of renewing his deal after being unhappy with the terms of the new contract. The London club made an offer of €8 million per year to the German international but Rudiger is aware that the new terms would still be less than what team-mates such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcos Alonso, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Kai Havertz and Romelu Lukaku earns.

On the other hand, the report has indicated that Real Madrid have prioritized the strengthening of their backline after letting key defenders depart the Bernabeu last summer with Rudiger on their list. Carlo Ancelotti is eager to recruit the Chelsea man although it will prove complicated as the likes of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen. However, Goal has reported that Rudiger will only make a final decision in the summer as he doesn't want distractions to hover over his head during his final months at Chelsea.