KEY POINTS

  • Bayern Munich is the latest club to join in the pursuit of Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger
  • The German side sees him as the ideal replacement for Niklas Sule
  • Rudiger is yet to sign an extension with Chelsea

Bayern Munich are already making plans for next summer’s transfer window as a recent report indicates that they will be pushing hard for Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger.

Goal has confirmed the German side’s interest, citing a report from German outlet Spox.

According to the report, Bayern Munich has engaged in exploratory talks with Rudiger’s brother and agent, Sahr Senesie, with no permanent deal yet in mind.

Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann recently spoke to the media about the now confirmed rumor.

“I'm generally not a big fan of talking about players who are under contract elsewhere, and besides, we're outside the transfer period,” said Nagelsmann.

“I'm talking about him now as a football fan because he is a German senior international. He has made a super development. Thomas [Tuchel] has handled him extremely well--he was still on the sidelines at Chelsea a year ago and is now certainly one of their most decisive players.”

When asked about how Rudiger will fit with his side, Nagelsmann made sure to compliment the player.

“He has incredibly good aggression and is a very good defender. I haven't spoken to Brazzo (Hasan Salihamidzic) about it and if I did, I wouldn't tell you either! I just read that in the media as well. I'll have to see when the contract expires and then I'll see if I still have money in my wallet,” Nagelsmann stated.

The German center-back is viewed by Bayern Munich as the next best player to take up Niklas Sule’s place, should the 26-year-old decide to leave for greener pastures.

It was also reported earlier in the month that European giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also very much interested in prying Rudiger away from Chelsea.

The three teams suddenly expressing interest in Rudiger stems from the fact that the 28-year-old is yet to sign his extension with Chelsea, believing that his next contract will be the last big-money contract he will ever receive.

Rudiger himself has said in the past that he is very interested in signing an extension with Chelsea, but only if his contract demands are met.

If Rudiger decides to leave, Chelsea is expected to go all-in on Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

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