Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United rejected by Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger despite offering whopping salary package
According to foreign outlet SPORT1 (h/t Express), Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger rejected a ‘whopping’ salary package from Manchester United in the upcoming transfer window as part of their efforts to snap up the player for free.
The German is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, and with no updates from either club or player about a possible contract extension being signed, he is set to depart Chelsea as a free agent.
It is now said that the central defender has verbally agreed on a deal to move to Real Madrid next season, as revealed by reliable football journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, which is a massive transfer blow to United.
The Manchester side was keen on adding the 29-year-old to their rearguard next term, given how poor their current defensive options have been in this campaign. The defence has been leaky all season long, conceding cheap goals due to some schoolboy errors being committed.
Rudiger snubs United
The Red Devils were desperate to sign Rudiger for free in the upcoming summer transfer window, which was evident from the offer that they made to the player. The Old Trafford outfit is said to have been the ‘highest bidder’ for the defender.
United offered Rudiger a bumper contract that would see him pocket £8.4m-per-year, which is said to be ‘significantly’ more than Chelsea’s final offer to the former AS Roma man in an attempt to keep him in West London. In the end, Rudiger eventually snubbed the Manchester club in favour of a reported move to Real in the summer.
In the prime years of his playing career, Rudiger would have made an excellent addition to United’s backline and added some solidity with his presence. Moreover, his availability in the summer for free is a chance that any club would jump at, given how good the Germany international has been recently.
Over the past couple of seasons, the defender has helped Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, putting in dazzling displays for the team on the pitch. He was even a crucial part of the Blues side that made it to the Carabao Cup final earlier this season.
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He has hardly missed a game for Thomas Tuchel’s men and has arguably been their best defender since the manager took over. His time at the Bridge now seems to be coming to a close, and he will depart with an extensive trophy haul during his time in the capital.
United will now have to look for other defensive targets now that Rudiger has snubbed them, and it remains to be seen who new manager Erik ten Hag is able to convince to move to the Theatre of Dreams as he kick-starts a new era of success in Manchester.
