Rudiger rejoins Mbappe on Real Madrid's summer wishlist

Cameron Smith

• 19 Apr 2022 17:37 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are back in the hunt for Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, with the player available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Rudiger, 29, signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge after arriving from Serie A side Roma, but is yet to sign an extension meaning that as things stand he will leave the club this summer.

Due to the situation surrounding Roman Abramovich, Chelsea are unable to offer Rudiger a new deal, which means he could be forced to leave the club.

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Reports have emerged from The Athletic that Rudiger would like to stay at Chelsea, with the love shown by the Blues fans, as well as the trust of Thomas Tuchel, reportedly encouraging him to sign a new contract when he is able to.

Could Rudiger join Real Madrid?

However despite the reports suggesting Rudiger wants to stay at Chelsea, ESPN have reported that Real Madrid are now keen on adding him to their backline after their initial interest died down. When Rudiger's contract situation was first brought to light, Real Madrid were the heavy favourites to land his signature, but their desire to sign the Germany international fell away with the form of Eder Militao picking up.

But, Carlo Ancelotti's team are now understood to be back in for Rudiger. The report suggests Real Madrid were incredibly impressed with how the defender performed in the second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Chelsea and it's convinced them that a move would be a good idea.

Real Madrid have joined rivals Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in showing an interest in Rudiger, who has garnered attention from Europe's biggest clubs following his form since Tuchel took charge at Chelsea.

Barcelona are also reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Rudiger's current team-mate Andreas Christensen, who will also become a free agent once his contract at Chelsea expires in the summer.

With a proposed move for Kylian Mbappe complicated by his potential desire to stay at PSG, Real Madrid are now keen to add a defender of Rudiger's quality to their squad.

Nacho Fernandez and Dani Carvajal have both filled in alongside David Alaba at the heart of the Real Madrid defence in recent weeks, which may have added to their wish to sign Rudiger given Carvajal is a full-back and Nacho has never been first-choice at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It seems as though adding Rudiger and Mbappe is the goal for Real Madrid this summer, both on free transfers.