Real Madrid, PSG keeping eyes on Antonio Rüdiger situation — reports

Real Madrid have been in selling mode this summer — though their financial crisis isn’t nearly as spectacular as Barcelona’s — and while they remain linked with players like forever-target Kylian Mbappé or (still?) Chelsea target Jules Koundé, a more on-brand move for their current situation might be a free transfer for Antonio Rüdiger.

The center back is one of several Chelsea defenders in the final 12 months of their contracts, and while contract extension talks are under way, there hasn’t been much progress evident in them. So perhaps it’s unsurprising that the likes of Sky Sports and Diario AS are running with stories that Rüdiger is “weighing up” his options, one of which might be a pre-contract that he could sign with Real Madrid in January if he doesn’t extend with Chelsea — the “Alaba formula” as per the latter, referencing Real’s free transfer of the former Bayern Munich captain this summer.

Sky’s report adds that Paris Saint-Germain, who recently added Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi for free and might yet do the same with Cristiano Ronaldo next summer, are also eyeing Rüdiger’s situation.

All of this could be just motivation to get the extension with Chelsea done of course.