Real Madrid players are now expecting Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger to join them on a free transfer next summer, according to the Daily Telegraph‘s Matt Law.
The reporter, who has strong sources when it comes to the Blues, believes it is now increasingly likely that the German international will leave Stamford Bridge when his contract expires, with the Bernabeu now his likeliest destination. Unsurprisingly, supporters on Twitter were not happy about the news:
What a shame
— Will (@willreyner) December 26, 2021
Disappointed.
— Tuchel Ball ⭐️⭐️ (@TucheIBall) December 26, 2021
NGL, this one particularly hurts. But thanks to him for all the good times.
— Shreya Elizabeth (@Shreya_Elle) December 26, 2021
NOOOOOO
— Eden Justin (@eden_justin1) December 26, 2021
Really?! Wow 😳
— Maxwel Ujunwa 👑 (@maxwelujunwa) December 26, 2021
What are you doing Marina??
— ²⁹Fabian ⭐⭐ (@cfc_Fabian) December 26, 2021
Shame we’ll miss him but if a player wants to leave let him go. He’s been good for us and carried on playing well during the contract run down
— Allrightattheback (@Allrightattheb1) December 26, 2021
Just hope, this doesn’t affect our season.
— Ritesh (@FootballRitesh) December 26, 2021
Letting our best defender go when he actually wants to stay.. can turn out to be one of the worst decisions by the board
— Shyam Shah (@shyam1989shah) December 26, 2021
To be honest, Rudiger’s departure has appeared inevitable for a while. There have been no positive signs in terms of a breakthrough in talks over the past few months, with there being a sizeable difference between the two camps about the centre-back’s wage demands.
As things stand, the 28-year-old could sign a pre-contract agreement with Madrid in a matter of days. There is no obligation to make the deal public, though, so we may only hear for certain about the player’s departure nearer the end of the season.
