Chelsea At Risk Of Losing Player On A Free After Refusing To Pay His Wage Demands

Chelsea are at risk of losing defender Antonio Rudiger after reportedly not meeting the player's wage demands.

According to German outlet SportBild, the 28-year-old is seeking a salary beyond what the European champions are willing to offer, which has subsequently led to interest in the player from his native Germany.

The newspaper claims that Bayern Munich have been in contact with Rudiger's agent - who just so happens to be the player's brother - over a possible future deal.

However, a move for the centre back is only thought to be likely if the Bundesliga side end up selling fellow German international Niklas Sule, who is struggling to break into Julian Nagelsmann's first choice XI.

With Rudiger's current Chelsea deal set to expire at the end of this season, it's unlikely that Bayern will be the only club who explore the possibility of signing him over the coming months.

PA

The German has been a crucial member of Thomas Tuchel's squad, helping The Blues lift the Champions League trophy earlier this year.

The club is therefore keen to tie the defender down long-term, but with the two parties currently miles apart in terms of wage demands, a renewal is far from certain.

The ex-Roma star currently earns €7 million per season, although if he gets his wish, that could rise to around €11m annually.

If the player's demand of €230,000 a week is met, he'll also become one of the Premier League's highest-earning defenders.

PA

Chelsea, however, are only willing to pay 70 percent of the amount requested by the powerful Centre-back. There appears to be no immediate end in sight in the talks between the two parties, which are first thought to have commenced last month.

Tuchel is especially keen to retain his countrymen, according to the report, with the pair sharing an excellent working relationship.

Nevertheless, if the player and club cannot come to an agreement soon, SportBild expects the likes of PSG and Real Madrid to throw their hat into the ring in the not too distant future.

Rio Ferdinand recently claimed that the former Stuttgart man had been the best defender in the Premier League since Tuchel's arrival at the beginning of the year.

His future in west London had looked in doubt under Frank Lampard, with the previous manager preferring Kurt Zouma in defence.

Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Rudiger, Premier League, Germany, Bayern Munich

Tom Fenton