Antonio Rudiger transfer to cost Real Madrid millions despite Chelsea defender being free agent

Chelsea are facing a huge task this summer with the defensive line in desperate need of investment. Andreas Christensen is set to leave on a free transfer and be joined by Antonio Rudiger, with the popular German reportedly set to join Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Rudiger has been a mainstay in Thomas Tuchel's side since the German took over from Frank Lampard in the Stamford Bridge dugout, with the defender's passionate performances making him a huge fan favourite. His departure, confirmed by Tuchel after beating West Ham, is set to leave a huge gap at the heart of the Chelsea team and the process to find his replacement is already seemingly well underway.

Sevilla's Jules Kounde is viewed as the top choice among many in west London but Matthijs De Ligt, Presnel Kimpembe and Jose Maria Gimenez have also been looked at, according to various reports. As such a bright presence in the dressing room, Tuchel will have to do more than just replace Rudiger's presence on the pitch as well.

There were certainly no shortage of suitors once it became clear that Rudiger could leave Chelsea at the end of the season. Madrid were linked from the start but so were Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. But, as they so often do in situations like this, Los Blancos appear to have won the race.

But while the transfer may be free, Madrid are still set to splash nearly £50 million on Rudiger himself as a result of the imminent deal, according to Marca. The Spanish giants are set to pay Rudiger around £7.5 million a year to play for the club, around £144,000 a week.

As well as his salary, because it is a free transfer, the 29-year-old is also set to receive a signing-on bonus of around £6.7 million,