PIF can makes it mark on EPL with Newcastle move for "unbelievable" £100k-p/w "animal" - opinion

A big update has emerged regarding Newcastle United and their interest in Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger…

According to The Mirror, the Magpies are eyeing up a potential swoop for the Germany international as his contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the campaign.

The report claims that, as it stands, the Blues will be legally unable to counteract any contract offer made to the 29-year-old due to the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich, which would allow the Toon to take an unopposed run at him.

PIF can make their mark on the Premier League and send out a huge statement of intent by securing a deal to sign Rudiger in the summer.

Chelsea are the current European and world champions after winning the Champions League and the Club World Cup in the last 12 months, and the defender has been an impressive performer this season.

This means that Newcastle would be getting a quality player from one of the best clubs in the world at the moment, which is why this deal would see PIF flexing their muscles and showing what they have the capabilities to do at St James’ Park, despite the club currently sitting in the bottom half of the table.

Former England international Rio Ferdinand previously heaped praise on the German, saying: “Look at Rudiger, he’s arguably, since Tuchel has been there [at Chelsea], been the best defender in the Premier League. Him or [Ruben] Dias in that time. He’s been unbelievable, he’s like an animal.”

These comments emphasise just how impressive the £100k-per-week machine has been under Thomas Tuchel and the statistics back it up. He has averaged SofaScore ratings of 7.11 and 7.28 in the Premier League and Champions League respectively this season, which shows that he has been consistently