Newcastle United are set to make a swoop for Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger at the end of the season.
The 29-year-old stands to leave Stamford Bridge as a free agent.
The Blues have been locked in talks with the player and representatives for some time. But there still hasn’t been any agreement over an extension.
They will be determined to keep hold of him. Especially with it looking like Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen will be heading to Barcelona.
Rudiger has enjoyed a good five years in west London.
The star has won the Champions League, Europa League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup during his time with Chelsea.
It seems he could be ready for a new challenge. And Newcastle are apparently keen to make a move according to The Telegraph.
The Magpies were very much in the hunt for new central defenders in January. In the end, the club could only lure Dan Burn.
The club will no doubt strengthen in the summer. And Rudiger on a free transfer would be a very eye-catching deal indeed.
Perhaps the main stumbling block to signing Rudiger would be his wage demands.
Within the report from the Telegraph, it is stated that Newcastle’s new owners do not want to smash their wage structure to accommodate players on over £200,000-a-week.
Rudiger is currently on £90,000-a-week and is believed to want around that £200,000-a-week mark.
Antonio Rudiger would be a statement signing by Newcastle
This would be some deal if Newcastle can pull it off.
Rudiger has shown himself to be a great defender during his time in English football, especially in a back three.
In particular, the £33 million star would bring one key trait that no other central defender at Newcastle has: pace.
His speed and aggression would be really nice to have. And obviously he has lots of experience and is one of Chelsea’s leaders.
To get someone of this calibre without paying a transfer fee would be a fantastic move by Newcastle.
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