Chelsea: 'Big worry' for Thomas Tuchel with £63m duo set to leave Stamford Bridge

The possibility of losing both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer will be a ‘big worry’ for Chelsea, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

Both defenders are approaching the end of their current contracts and could depart Stamford Bridge as free agents following the conclusion of 2021/22.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Christensen, who is valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt and has turned out on 160 occasions for Chelsea, has already ‘made his choice’ to join Catalan giants Barcelona next season.

Romano claims that there ‘is no doubt’ that the 26-year-old will sign a deal until 2027 with Barca and that negotiations are ongoing to ‘complete the verbal agreement’ between the player and the club.

Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News claim that Manchester United have held ‘exploratory discussions with the representatives’ of Rudiger over a potential switch.

Yet the report states that the club’s hierarchy have little expectation over the possibility of bringing the Germany international to the club as he appears focused on joining a side who can guarantee him Champions League football.

ESPN have also disclosed how Real Madrid have rekindled their interest in the 29-year-old after being impressed with his displays against them throughout April.

Chelsea’s summer transfer plans hit a huge stumbling block when the UK Government placed sanctions over their Russian owner Roman Abramovich following his country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The process to secure new owners is well underway, but Brown believes the ‘uncertainty’ will mean finding replacements for Rudiger, who is valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, and Christensen will prove to be difficult.

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