Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger, expected to become a free agent next summer, is wanted by European super clubs Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. Meanwhile, Barcelona are eyeing a surprise move for the Blues’ starlet Ian Maatsen.
As the contractual dispute between Chelsea and the German fails to reach a conclusion, European super clubs have started lining themselves up to seal his signature on a free transfer. Rudiger is without a contract in summer 2022 and will be allowed to formally speak to interested clubs starting from January 1.
As per BILD, PSG are the latest club to show an interest in the central defender. The report claims that the Parisians are in a strong position in the race for the 28-year-old as his representatives have held a dialogue with the club’s sporting director, Leonardo.
Real Madrid, too, have been linked strongly with the German in recent weeks. Fabrizio Romano reports that Los Blancos are interested in adding the defender to their roster, having lost both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane last summer. PSG and Real Madrid are joined in the race for Rudiger by Chelsea’s league rivals Manchester United, as per Sky Germany.
Rudiger has represented Chelsea over 150 times since joining the club from AS Roma back in 2017. He has grown in importance since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and played a key role in his side’s Champions League-winning run at the back end of the previous season.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have set their sights on another Chelsea player. As per Football Insider, the Spanish giants are eyeing a surprise January move for young left-back Ian Maatsen, who is spending the season on loan in the Championship at Coventry City.
Maatsen has earned rave reviews for his performances in the Football League, so much so that he was linked with an early return to his parent club after Ben Chilwell’s injury.
The 19-year-old has made only one appearance for the Blues’ senior side in his career, which came in an EFL Cup tie against minnows Grimsby Town (7-1) in 2019. Nonetheless, he has represented Chelsea across various youth levels and has spent the last two seasons out on loan following his 2018 move from PSV Eindhoven.
