Antonio Rudiger ‘asked Chelsea to increase contract offer to £220,000-a-week’ amid Man Utd transfer interest

ANTONIO RUDIGER is said to be asking Chelsea to increase his contract offer to £220,000/week if they want to keep him at the club.

The Blues’ initial offer of £140,000-a-week is said to have delighted the German, who turned it down as He is said to want to make it into the top 10 highest paid players at Stamford Bridge.

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And follow Marcathe defender – who is being hunted by some of Europe’s big boys as his contract expires – will only consider staying at the Blues if they meet his demands for improvement. .

Thomas Tuchel’s side will have to make a quick decision as the powerful defender’s current contract is set to be signed in the summer.

In addition, the Blues’ Premier League rivals Manchester United are said to have set their sights on the 28-year-old.

Real Madrid also pursue Rudiger, but ended their interest due to his agents demanding a hefty £20m signing fee.

Real’s withdrawal from the race puts United in a pole position to land Rudiger if Chelsea cannot convince him to stay – despite Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are both said to be waiting on the wing.

United’s pursuit of Rudiger could be helped by interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who is said to have a good relationship with the countryman’s agent and half-brother Sahr Senesie.

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However, the Blues are well aware of the value that Rudiger brings to the club and they are said to be willing to accommodate his requests.

Sources close to the deal claim the Blues plan to add a hefty loyalty bonus to boost Rudiger’s salary package in a bid to get him to sign on the dotted line.

And given his form this season – that would be money well spent by the Blues.

The towering defenders showed his worth a few weeks ago as he led Chelsea to the Carabao Cup final by scoring the only goal of the West London side’s win over bitter rivals Spurs.

Tuchel’s army will be hoping they can rely on the German nation again in the finale of the competition against Liverpool, who beat champions Arsenal last night with a dynamic brace from Diogo Jota.