Real Madrid close to agreeing deal with Chelsea’s Antonio Rüdiger

Real Madrid are close to signing Antonio Rüdiger on a free transfer after reaching a verbal agreement with the Chelsea defender over a lucrative four-year contract.

Rüdiger held positive talks with the Bernabéu club’s hierarchy over the weekend and is set to receive a considerable pay rise after deciding to leave Chelsea when his contract expires at the end of the season. Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has identified the Germany international as a key signing in defence and while the move has not been finalised it is expected to be confirmed soon. The 29-year-old is expected to earn at least £200,000 a week.

Chelsea were desperate to keep Rüdiger, who currently earns around £90,000 a week, but were unable to reach an agreement with the commanding centre-back before the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich left the club unable to make signings or hand out new contracts. Talks with the 29-year-old broke down after the European champions offered him a deal worth at least £200,000 a week, only to be met with a request for a signing-on fee and large agent’s fees for the player’s representatives.

The negotiations ended with Rüdiger rejecting Chelsea’s offer and the uncertainty over the club’s ownership has played a huge part in his impending departure. The former Roma defender was not willing to wait for Abramovich to sell the club and has decided to seek a new challenge.

Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have targeted Rüdiger but Madrid are expected to be his next destination. His arrival will boost Ancelotti’s options in central defence.

Losing Rüdiger will be a big setback for Thomas Tuchel, whose defence is expected to be weakened further by Andreas Christensen joining