Chelsea are reportedly moving closer to meeting Antonio Rudiger’s salary demands with Thomas Tuchel keen on retaining the centre-back at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer.
The Germany international’s drawn-out standoff on the contract front with Chelsea has sparked off the speculation that he could be in line to make the move away from the English capital at the end of the season.
Reports from Goal, however, suggest Chelsea have gained ground in attempts to rebuff interest in Rudiger’s services from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid as they prepare to offer the centre-back a major hike in his wages.
Rudiger’s £200,000-a-week demands are likely to be met by the west Londoners who risk losing out on both Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta in the summer with the latter eyed up by FC Barcelona on a Bosman deal.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have turned their attention to ensuring a long-term extension for their defensive mainstay Rudiger and keep tabs on Barcelona contract rebel Ronald Araujo with a summer swoop for the 22-year-old tipped to be on the cards.
