Real Madrid cool interest in Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid are no longer interested in signing Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger, who they had previously been targeting on a free transfer as his current contract is set to expire next summer.

The German defender is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with another club as he has less than six months remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge, and he has been linked with the likes of Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, as well as Real Madrid.

According to Jose Luis Sanchez on the El Chiringuito Twitch channel, however, Los Blancos are no longer in the hunt. The club have cooled their interest in Rudiger and will not be following up with a formal offer, although they have had discussions with the player's representatives.

This may be motivated by two factors: firstly, that Carlo Ancelotti is delighted with the pairing of Eder Militao and David Alaba at the back; and secondly, Rudiger's financial demands would make him a significant investment, despite the lack of transfer fee.

Rudiger's dream is fading

The 28-year-old was known to be keen on a move to the Bernabeu and had even spoken to various members of the Real Madrid squad to discuss life at the club. As things stand, though, it is unlikely that dream will become a reality.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are still hoping that Rudiger will sign a new deal and remain in London, but his wage demands are proving a stumbling block for them as well. Rudiger is looking for 200,000 pounds a week, which would make him one of the Blues' top earners, and he is aware that this could be the last big contract in his playing career.

Chelsea's opening gambit, however, was 140,000 pounds per week, which, although a rise on his current deal, would still place Rudiger below 10 other players in the squad, including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic. Only three players in Thomas Tuchel's squad earn 200,000 pounds per week or more: Timo Werner, N'Golo Kante and Romelu Lukaku.

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