Chelsea cannot offer new contracts to its players because of the sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich and Rudiger's contract expires at the end of the season.
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Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff have been spotted meeting with the German international’s agent. Sky Sports are reporting that Barca “are ready to go full throttle to sign the defender” because the 29-year-old “fits exactly into the requirement profile of the Catalans”. Meanwhile Chelsea cannot offer new contracts to its players because of the sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich.
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Toni Rüdiger has made no decision on his future yet. He’s considering proposals, still waiting for Chelsea updates. ?? #CFC
He’s been approached by many clubs in the last few months, including Spanish clubs, PSG, Juventus. Only Bayern are no longer in the race, as things stand. pic.twitter.com/P3fHmFsDJX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 31, 2022
The restrictions won’t be lifted until the new ownership is in place, which may not be until the end of the season at the earliest. That leaves the likes of Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta becoming free agents at the end of the current season.
Christensen is expected to move to Camp Nou when his contract with the Blues expires and now the Blaugrana have opened talks with Rudigers’ agent about signing the defender.
Rudiger’s name was linked with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG in the past and now there are Barca as well. While the Blaugrana apparently cannot match the wages on offer from other clubs, Rudiger “liked” the proposal, according to Gerard Romero. That said, the agents “insisted” to the Telegraph that “no decision has been made on his future”.
Rudiger has grown into one of the best defenders in the Premier League over the last few years. The German international played a key role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last season and has consistently delivered solid performances for Thomas Tuchel’s side this season. He has made 26 Premier League appearances for the Blues this campaign and found the back of the net twice.
Barca are going through a rebuilding process under Xavi Hernandez and the Spanish tactician has done a brilliant job so far since taking charge of the team in November. The La Liga giants are struggling with financial constraints and therefore cannot go out all guns blazing in the transfer market. However, the Catalan’s have made some clever signings in the January transfer window to rejuvenate the squad.
Now, Xavi is looking for more such signings to bolster the squad and take them back to the top world football. Barcelona are currently placed third in the La Liga standings, having won their last five league games and that includes a 4-0 thrashing of league leaders Real Madrid.
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