If Antonio Rudiger decides to leave Chelsea next summer, he is poised to secure a position as one of the highest-earning defenders globally.
Rudiger has become a crucial asset under Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, having been marginalized by former coach Frank Lampard. However, as he enters the final six months of his contract, his future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain.
Top European clubs are prepared to offer him a salary that exceeds three times his current earnings, should he opt for a free transfer from Chelsea next summer.
Beginning January 1, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Juventus are among the teams poised to present him with this lucrative offer.
Currently, the 28-year-old earns approximately £100,000 per week while at Chelsea.
It is reported that Juventus center-back Matthijs de Ligt is the highest-paid defender in the world, earning around £400,000 per week, inclusive of all add-ons.
According to Sportsmail, Rudiger’s prospective new deal, if he departs Chelsea, will likely rival de Ligt’s, once all financial aspects are taken into account.
Rudiger’s availability as a free transfer means that interested clubs can allocate the funds saved from a transfer fee, which is estimated at around £70 million in the current market, toward enhancing the player’s salary package. This includes the basic wage, signing-on fee, and other lucrative add-ons.