Madrid favourites to sign Rüdiger after defender rejects £200k-a-week offer from Chelsea

German defender Antonio Rüdiger will leave Chelsea at the end of the season after being unable to agree on terms of a new contract.

The 29-year-old is set to make a decision soon on where he will play next season, with Real Madrid among the leading clubs interested in signing the Germany defender.

Chelsea returned to negotiations with Rüdiger’s representatives in January over a new deal and made an offer of more than £200,000-a-week, which would have made him the highest-paid defender in the club’s history before sanctions were imposed on owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea were also not prepared to meet Rüdiger’s demands, including a large signing-on fee and also payments to his agent, Sahr Senesie, who is also his half-brother.

But the Germany centre back, who joined from Roma in 2017, turned down the offer and is now poised to leave the club.

The Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is set to lose at least two of his central defenders, with Andreas Christensen due to join Barcelona at the end of the season and the captain César Azpilicueta still considering his future.

As The Times reported in February, the Barcelona head coach Xavi is keen on adding Azpilicueta to his squad in the summer to bring more experience to his squad.

Chelsea triggered a one-year extension in Azpilicueta’s contract, linked with appearances, but the club captain is still considering whether he wants to return to Spain and plans to speak to Chelsea’s new owners when a preferred bidder is confirmed.

Rüdiger may become a rival to his outgoing teammates as Real lead the race for his signature, while Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus have all shown interest too.