Real Madrid, PSG Interested In Signing Tuchel's Key $40M Star At Chelsea: Report

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.

Rudiger has entered the final year of his contract at Chelsea and is yet to sign an extension. Meanwhile, Real Madrid and PSG are keeping an eye on Rudiger's contract situation at Stamford Bridge, reported Sky Sports.

Talks over a contract extension have begun between Rudiger and Chelsea, the center-back revealed Tuesday.

"As I said before, I wanted to concentrate on the Euros then after I come back, talks can start. That is what has happened for now. The talks have begun and we will see what time brings," Rudiger said ahead of the UEFA Super Cup match between Chelsea and Villarreal. The Champions League winners Chelsea defeated the Spanish side 6-5 on penalties to claim a second trophy in less than three months.

The 28-year-old German defender believes the next deal he signs will be the most important one in his career while Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel sees the player as part of his plans beyond the 2021-22 season.

Rudiger, who recently featured in Chelsea's pre-season friendly matches against Arsenal and Tottenham, has one more chance to bag a lucrative deal. And if Chelsea can’t offer him a valuation at par with what he could get elsewhere, Rudiger could leave as a free agent. He will be free to sign a pre-season agreement with another club in January amid the interest from PSG and Real Madrid.

It is believed that Rudiger has all the qualities to flourish at Real Madrid. He has a lot of persistence and never hesitates to push up into the attack rather helps to create chances. Rudiger, who gives it all on the pitch for his team, has the mentality and character to suit the former La Liga champions.

Irrespective of what awaits in the future for Rudiger, the German center-back, who won the Champions League with Chelsea last season, has informed the Stamford Bridge side that he'll be fully committed to the club ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Rudiger, who kickstarted his senior career with Stuttgart in 2011, played three full seasons at the Bundesliga side before he moved to Roma on loan in 2015. He impressed the Serie A club in 37 appearances and as a result, Roma signed Rudiger permanently the following summer.

However, just after one season of being a permanent member at Roma, Rudiger was signed by Chelsea in the summer of 2017 on a five-year deal at a fee of $40 million. Having spent four full seasons in London, Rudiger has already won four trophies with the Premier League club, including the coveted Champions League.

During the 2021 January transfer window, Chelsea were ready to accept $21 million for Rudiger. However, no deal was reached and the defender remained at the club. His current market value is around $31 million, according to Transfermarkt.