Chelsea near Antonio Rudiger agreement as Bayern Munich switch primary transfer targets

Posted Thursday, February 10, 2022 by Express.co.uk

CHELSEA could lose Antonio Rudiger for nothing at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Chelsea are growing more confident that they can reach an agreement with Antonio Rudiger over a new contract. Bayern Munich had been interested over a free transfer but have turned their attention to Andreas Christensen instead.

Chelsea are near to an agreement with Rudiger over a new contract at the club in a huge boost to Thomas Tuchel.

The Germany international has been long linked with several clubs across Europe including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

With his contract expiring in the summer, Rudiger would be free to leave for nothing at the end of the season.

And that would be a huge blow to the Blues, where the defender has become a key figure both on and off the pitch.

Chelsea near Antonio Rudiger agreement as Bayern Munich switch primary transfer targets
Antonio Rudiger is out of contract at the endof the season (Image: GETT)

But Goal report that Chelsea and Rudiger are coming close to an agreement over a new deal that would extend his time at Stamford Bridge.

They state that the latest offer is much closer to the £200,000-a-week that the centre-back is demanding.

However, no agreement has been formally reached while Real Madrid and PSG remain interested while the two European juggernauts will be able to offer Rudiger what he wants and also a huge signing-on fee.

But there will be no move to Bayern Munich, who have pulled out of negotiations amid failing to make much progress.

The Bavarians are not staying away from west London, though, and have switched their primary target to Christensen instead.

The Denmark international is also out of contract at the end of the season and there is less confidence that he will renew his terms.

And Goal report that Bayern are pushing to sign Christensen after it was confirmed that Niklas Sule would join Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

Chelsea near Antonio Rudiger agreement as Bayern Munich switch primary transfer targets
Andreas Christensen is also out of contract at the end of the season (Image: GETTY)

It would be a major blow to the Blues to lose the 25-year-old for free in the summer after 10 years at the club.

The defender has come up through the ranks at Stamford Bridge and there was a general feel that contract negotiations would be a formality at the start of the season.

But that has failed to come to light and a string of failed talks have paved the way for an exit this summer.