Chelsea
defender Antonio Rudiger has reached an agreement with Real Madrid to join
the Spanish champions on a free transfer in the summer.
Rudiger will officially join Real on July 1 on a four-year deal understood
to be worth €400,000 (£342,000) per week.
The Germany international's Chelsea contract expires at the end of the
season and Blues boss Thomas Tuchel revealed last month the defender had
decided to reject a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
A number of clubs across Europe - including in the Premier League - were
interested in Rudiger. However, Real were the first club to formally express
an interest in signing him this summer, and the 29-year-old is thought to be
flattered and impressed by Real's pursuit.
Rudiger's representatives held talks with Barcelona earlier this season,
while he had also been linked with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain
and Juventus.
John Terry, the former Chelsea captain, expressed his disappointment at
Rudiger's impending exit last month. Replying to Sky Sports' Instagram post
regarding the Germany international, Terry wrote: "How have we let this man
go?"
Remaining at Chelsea was a possibility for Rudiger, but the sanctions placed
on the club's owner Roman Abramovich made talks over extending his deal
impossible.
The European champions - who are set to be taken over by Todd Boehly's
consortium - have been unable to negotiate transfers or contract extensions
since March.
Tuchel revealed Rudiger's decision to leave Chelsea after his side's win
over West Ham last month. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "The situation is
that he wants to leave the club. He informed me of this in a private talk.
"We gave everything - me and the club - but we could not fight anymore
because of the sanctions. Without the sanctions we would at least be able to
carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It
is his decision.
"He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But
it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot.
"He gives courage in the dressing room - the kind everyone is afraid of, but
the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He is a top defender
in the last one-and-a-half years for me. We then need to find another
solution."
Pressed on whether Chelsea will be able to replace Rudiger, Tuchel said: "In
the moment not, because of the sanctions. Hopefully the sanctions will be
the past.
"We had a connection from day one and he deserves my full support. I'm just
happy to have had the chance to coach him in the team and the club did as
well. We had offers, big offers and the club tried everything but we cannot
fight anymore. We have the sanctions, we can't continue. It is what it is.
"It would be ideal [for sanctions to be lifted before the transfer window]
but even if we wish for it, you can't pull grass for it to grow faster. We
have to deal with what the reality is. The sanctions are still in place and
the situation is not cleared for next season. We try to focus on the last
weeks."
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