Chelsea player Antonio Rudiger might join Juventus, according to 7GoldSport (via The Sun), as the Old Lady prepares to release Giorgio Chiellini. Juve apparently decided to let the Italian star out of his contract. This will free up financial resources for the team to recruit Blues sensation Rudiger.
7GoldSport, an Italian outlet, announced the news on Twitter, saying:
"Chiellini's contract will be terminated at the end of the season, as agreed with the club. As a result, Rudiger is being pressed while De Ligt is being held back."
According to Football Italia, the Italian will leave the club and join the MLS. Rudiger is expected to assume Chiellini's place in the team after that.
After his contract expires this summer, the German international is expected to leave Chelsea. Following the club's long-running ownership troubles, plans to extend his contract have fallen through.
Juventus will face stiff competition for the defender, with clubs from all around Europe interested in the 29-year-old. Regardless, until the end of the summer, Germany's future will be uncertain. Whether he leaves the Blues, it'll be intriguing to see if Juve pursues him.
Antonio Rudiger's alleged wage demands may complicate his summer transfer.
If he joins Barcelona this summer, the Blues defender wants a base salary of at least €7 million, according to SPORT.
While Barcelona appears to be the frontrunner to recruit Rudiger, his rumoured pay demands and signing cost may deter them. Real Madrid reportedly withdrew their interest in the German star in January due to similar concerns about his high financial expectations.
Other European powerhouses appear to have lost interest in Rudiger, according to sources at Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Juventus is also intrigued, although his pay demands may deter them.
Chelsea's contract talks have been stuck for the past six months due to similar demands. Due to the club's off-field concerns, they may not be able to renew his contract at this time.
If he truly wants to join Barca, he may have to modify his contract demands to accommodate the club's financial reality. For the time being, it's unclear where the star will spend the rest of the year.
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