Paris Saint-Germain have made an official offer to Antonio Rudiger to move to Parc De Princes, according to Foot Mercato.
Rudiger is out of a contract this season at Chelsea and despite all the efforts of the Blues to get him to put pen to paper on a new contract, his future remains uncertain.
Real Madrid are said to be the only other club that have contacted the player directly for a move, while Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich have indicated interest in the past.
The 28-year-old reportedly wants a move to Madrid but the financial implications of signing the former AS Roma defender continue to be a problem stopping negotiations, even with Chelsea.
Recently, it was reported that Real Madrid have stopped actively pursuing the German, who they saw as Sergio Ramos’ perfect replacement because they were made to believe that he was using them to get a bumper contract at Chelsea.
However, claims have been made that Rudiger is in love with the Spanish club and dreams of playing there someday, but it remains to be seen if Madrid will be back in the mix for the defender’s signature.
PSG have now thrown their hat in the ring, having been observing things from a distance, with a €7 million per-season deal which is a lot closer to what the defender is demanding from Chelsea and all other clubs looking to sign him.
The Ligue 1 club are looking to tempt him away from a potential move to Real Madrid and have therefore proposed a more lucrative salary package: a €7 million per-season deal, according to the report. The move would become official when his contract with Chelsea expires in the summer.
Rudiger will be left with a choice to continue at Chelsea by taking what the club is offering, moving to his dream club Real Madrid for whatever they are offering, or following the money to PSG.
The Parisiens’ sporting director, Leonardo Araujo, will have to pull all the stops he can to beat both clubs to Rudiger’s signature in the summer, as reports claim that he’s the driving force behind PSG’s bid for Rudiger.
Rudiger is a professional, Tuchel says
Thomas Tuchel will cut a frustrated figure at the Rudiger questions but professionalism demands that he keeps answering the questions when they pop up.
The German tactician was quizzed about his compatriot’s situation with the club following their win against Chesterfield in the FA Cup third round.
“I don’t know if it helps if I take him out for a lot of coffees, it might even push him out!” Tuchel said to journalists.
“I don’t feel he needs a lot of coffees with me.
“He is a guy who needs to trust you. He needs to feel the connection and trust. He needs to feel it by minutes and actions.
“I don’t feel Toni needs a lot of words, coffee talks or invitations for dinners or whatever. He is a top professional. This is what he proves and nothing has changed. The talks are in good hands. I trust the club 100%, trust in the player and it is a no problem situation for me.
“Also, Toni can still deliver, he did a fantastic match in a back four. He is super reliable. Nothing has changed, the points of view haven’t changed and once something changes. You will be the first to know.”
Chelsea are offering Rudiger £140,000 a week, £60,000 short of the £200,000 that the defender is looking to earn. However, the 28-year-old defender is also looking for his last big payday which is why he is holding off for a better offer.
