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Man United step up their pursuit of rival PL ace whose contract is up in the summer

Manchester United to step up defender Antonio Rudiger transfer chase after Chelsea’s Champions League exit.
Manchester United to step up defender Antonio Rudiger transfer chase after Chelsea’s Champions League exit. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Manchester United to step up defender Antonio Rudiger transfer chase after Chelsea’s Champions League exit

According to The Sun, Manchester United are one among many clubs looking to step up their interest in signing Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger for free in the summer, after the Blues were knocked out of the Champions League last night.

The defending European champions were handed a quarterfinal exit in the continental competition by Real Madrid, who won 5-4 on aggregate as Los Blancos won the second leg of the tie in extra time, thanks to a Karim Benzema striker.

With only the FA Cup and Premier League remaining in their sights this season, Chelsea will be focused on tying down Rudiger to a new deal at Stamford Bridge, given that he is set to become a free agent in the summer.

Manchester United to step up defender Antonio Rudiger transfer chase after Chelsea’s Champions League exit.
Antonio Rudiger wants Man United to address their managerial uncertainty before deciding a move to Old Trafford.

The player’s good form has attracted interest from a host of European clubs for his signature ahead of the new season, with sides like Real, Barcelona, and Paris-Saint Germain also keen on signing the defender, along with United.

Sort managerial situation at United

It is said that the 29-year-old was not prepared to decide his future while Chelsea were still playing in the Champions League, but since this ended last night, there exist questions about the next steps for the Germany international. The Red Devils have been monitoring Rudiger’s situation in west London, but first, need to sort out who they are planning to appoint as their next permanent manager.

Ajax Amsterdam coach Erik ten Hag is the leading favourite to be offered the job in the summer, with the Dutchman also getting the final say on transfers. Therefore, the English side cannot make a decision on signing the Chelsea star before finalising their managerial situation. Besides, Rudiger would only consider a move to Old Trafford if he spoke to the new manager first.

Manchester United to step up defender Antonio Rudiger transfer chase after Chelsea’s Champions League exit.
Manchester United to battle other clubs to sign Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger.

Despite Rudiger’s goal against Real in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final last night, he was unable to prevent the current La Liga table-toppers from scoring two goals to hand Chelsea a heartbreaking UCL exit.

Given that he was looking to sort out his future at Stamford Bridge once the west London club were out of Europe, clubs will now look to flirt with him over a potential move, including Los Blancos, who they just played.

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At 29, the player is in the prime years of his playing career and is in top form, helping the Blues to multiple trophies in the past few years. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are set to end their current season by completing a five-year trophy drought.

Given the competition United are expected to face for the Chelsea defender from other clubs in the summer, the Manchester side will need to come up with an attractive package to convince Rudiger to pick them over others. Perhaps, the chance to continue playing in the Premier League given his club’s current crisis could work to our advantage.

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