Antonio Rudiger 'open' to Chelsea compromise despite latest contract snub

Antonio Rudiger reportedly remains open to extending his Chelsea contract despite rejecting the club’s latest offer amid interest from some of Europe’s top sides.

Rudiger’s current deal is set to expire on July 1 and, like Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta, the German defender is yet to commit his future beyond then.

The 28-year-old has established himself as one of Thomas Tuchel’s most dependable centre-backs and is a huge crowd favourite at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are desperate to keep hold of Rudiger and have been locked in negotiations for much of the season, but are yet to make a breakthrough.

That could soon be a problem because Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have already presented him with offers to join as a free agent this summer, while Manchester United are also monitoring his situation carefully.

According to the Daily Mail Rudiger is currently paid around £100,000 per week and has already rejected Chelsea’s first offer of £140,000.

The Blues, who are led by director Marina Granovskaia in negotiations, have now offered £200,000-a-week, but are still short of Rudiger’s demands.

The Germany international is understood to be happy in west London and is ‘fully open to staying’ as the club seek to find a compromise which doesn’t break their wage structure.

Tuchel views Rudiger as a critical piece of his project, but the fact Rudiger can earn closer to £400,000, including signing on fees and bonuses, if he leaves on a free transfer, is proving problematic.

Thiago Silva has already agreed a contract extension beyond this summer, but as things stand Rudiger, Christensen and Azpilicueta are poised to leave Chelsea for nothing come July 1, with the latter two courted by Barcelona.

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