Antonio Rudiger decision looms amid Real Madrid, PSG, Barcelona, Manchester United transfer battle – Paper Round

Rudiger at centre of transfer tug-of-war Antonio Rudiger will accelerate the decision over his future over the next week after Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League. The German defender will become a free agent at the end of the season after the Blues failed to reach an agreement for a contract extension, due to salary demands. Rudiger is wanted by Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Manchester United, but it is likely that he will sign for an overseas club as they are allowed to enter negotiations before the end of the season.

Ad/> /> Champions LeagueReal's 'confidence overdose' almost cost them against Chelsea – Inside Europe20 HOURS AGO Paper Round’s view: It’s borderline disastrous that Chelsea are losing Rudiger for free. The 29-year-old has probably seen team-mates like Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, who are not playing many minutes, earning a lot more than him and just wants to be paid equally. Rudiger has been one of the best centre-backs in Europe since Thomas Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge and he put in another world-class performance in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Whichever club ends up signing him for free will get one of the best deals we have seen in recent years. For Chelsea, it will prove an expensive mistake as they will need to spend big to replace Rudiger. Read the full story Arsenal ready to reject Barca transfer enquiry Barcelona are in the hunt for a new left-footed centre-back this summer and have put Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes at the top of their transfer shortlist.