KEY POINTS

  • Real Madrid want to secure the players on a free transfer
  • Chelsea are at the top of the 2021-22 Premier League table
  • Man Utd are experiencing a tough phase at present

Real Madrid have reportedly made Premier League stars Paul Pogba and Antonio Rudiger their targets for next summer.

Los Blancos are far more confident of securing Pogba during the 2022 summer transfer window than they were a couple of months ago, reported Spanish publication Marca.

Manchester United are waiting for Pogba to respond to their new deal that was offered to the midfielder in July, according to French outlet Le10Sport. The report has stated that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are also among the clubs that are still interested in landing Pogba and are keeping a close eye on the France national’s contract situation in Old Trafford.

It has been reported that following being benched for the Premier League clash with Liverpool last month, Pogba has stalled his contract talks with Manchester United, who could lose their record signing for free next summer. The Red Devils signed Pogba from Juventus at $121 million in 2016.

He's ours: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) does not want Paul Pogba (left) to leave the club
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) with Paul Pogba AFP / Oli SCARFF

Both Pogba and Chelsea center-back Rudiger have less than a year left on his current respective deals and will be allowed to negotiate with foreign clubs in January. Real Madrid are planning to reach a pre-season agreement with both the stars during the upcoming winter window. The La Liga club did the same for David Alaba last January, who moved from Bayern Munich to Madrid on a free transfer in the 2021 summer market.

It is understood that Rudiger, who moved from Roma to Chelsea in 2017 at a fee of $40 million, is frustrated with the salary Chelsea have offered so far and their lack of effort to offer him a deal he thinks he deserves.

It has also been reported that Rudiger, who is yet to sign an extension with Chelsea despite being one of Thomas Tuchel’s favorites, is currently in talks with a few clubs, including the Blues’ Premier League rivals Manchester City. Meanwhile, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also interested in signing Rudiger, who played a key role in Chelsea’s Champions League victory last season.

Chelsea are currently at the top of the 2021-22 Premier League table, three points clear of second-placed Liverpool FC.

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