Newcastle told £400,000-a-week top class centre-back would be a real ‘statement signing’

Newcastle have been told that Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger would be a real “statement signing” for the club this summer.

The Germany star will be available on a free transfer come the end of the season, with the Daily Telegraph claiming that the Magpies have joined a number of clubs in the chase for his signature.

Chelsea had been hoping the 29-year-old would still commit to the club by extending his stay. However, their current sanctions mean no new contracts are allowed to be signed at Stamford Bridge.

That leaves the door open for numerous suitors to strike and Danny Mills believes they should do just that.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Leeds and England defender said: “Newcastle United have certainly got the money so that won’t be an issue for them.

“It would be another statement signing.

“The problem Rudiger has got now is, not only can they not sign for Chelsea he has also lot an enormous amount of bargaining power.

“We assume Chelsea were offering them deals and quite hefty deals. Suddenly now those other clubs will say ‘Hold on, that option is off the table. You can’t sign for Chelsea.

“I just wonder if those parameters move slightly. He can’t say ‘If I stay at Chelsea I’m going to get £400,000-a-week’ because he’s not because he can’t sign anything.

“Any new club will say ‘What are your options? You can’t even stay at Chelsea on the money you are on now’.

“You always need two people interested on big money to get the price up and get a Dutch auction going. If there’s one suitor that club can say ‘Take it or leave it’.”

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