KEY POINTS

  • An Antonio Rudiger exit from Chelsea grows likely with offers of higher wages from other clubs reported
  • Rudiger wants one last payday before his prime ends, but Chelsea is not willing to budge
  • The defender remains adamant that he will play his heart out for the club despite the talks

As it is getting more likely that Antonio Rudiger and Chelsea are headed for a divorce, two major European clubs are eagerly waiting on the sidelines to sign him.

According to ESPN, the talks between the 28-year-old and Chelsea have hit a wall as Rudiger’s demands of a salary bump from his current weekly wages of £100,000 ($138,219) to £200,000 ($276,438) are the main sticking point.

However, Chelsea is only reportedly willing to offer £150,000 ($206,900) a week to the German center-back with him hitting the tail-end of his prime.

With this development, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are both gearing up for what could turn into a bidding war for the sought-after defender.

Real Madrid’s interest in Rudiger has been brewing since reports came out in mid-September.

This has always been how Los Blancos operates when it comes to signing major transfer targets–linger on the side before pouncing once talks fall through.

They are currently second in the La Liga standings, but it does not mean that they are settling for what they have at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid has conceded 12 goals across all competitions this year, and having Rudiger in the backfield would be a major boost for their odds at winning the La Liga title.

As for Bayern Munich, they are the most recent entrants to the Rudiger sweepstakes.

In late September, the German side was reported to have been in exploratory talks with Rudiger’s brother and agent, Sahr Senesie.

However, no permanent deal had been brought up by Bayern Munich during said talks.

ESPN also mentioned that multiple outlets have claimed that other clubs are willing to offer more than £300,000 ($414,657) to entice Rudiger to leave.

The International Business Times could not independently verify this claim presented.

Amidst the rumors of a transfer, Rudiger remained adamant that he wants to do right by Chelsea and play his heart out for them.

“The interest honors me. That shows that I've done a few things right recently, but I don't let myself be distracted. I have an obligation to my club to perform well. I make my decisions for myself. They don't depend on anyone,” Rudiger remarked as quoted by ESPN.

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