According to reports, Antonio Rudiger is on the verge of leaving Chelsea, with initial talks indicating that as a free agent, he could earn up to £400,000 per week.
The Germany international's contract at Stamford Bridge is coming to an end in the next six months, and he will be free to start negotiating pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs as early as next month.
Chelsea had hoped to persuade Rudiger to stay longer after compatriot Thomas Tuchel took over as manager, but they are increasingly resigned to losing him.
The Blues' most recent offer was thought to be around £140,000 per week, a nearly 50% increase on his current salary, but Rudiger believed he deserved a much higher salary on par with the club's top earners.
He was also aware that this would most likely be his final big payday, and he appears to be correct, as a slew of European behemoths have lined up to offer him the lucrative terms he demands.
According to the Daily Mail, Rudiger's suitors are willing to pay him up to £400,000 per week, including bonuses and add-ons, based on preliminary early talks.
A contract of that size would put him on par with Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus, who is currently the highest-paid defender in the world.
Juventus, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Real Madrid are all interested in signing the 28-year-old, who they estimate would cost £70 million in normal circumstances.
They are willing to give in to his enormous salary demands because he is available on a free transfer, and Chelsea will simply be unable to compete, with Rudiger now looking increasingly likely to leave the club.
Real Madrid is said to be leading the race for the German defender, with a 'informal agreement' to move to the Bernabeu already in place.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in signing Rudiger, though Premier League clubs will have to wait until his Chelsea contract expires before making official contact, giving foreign clubs the advantage.
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