Real Madrid 'planning to swoop for Antonio Rudiger on free transfer'

Real Madrid are reportedly confident about their chances of signing Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer next summer.

The Germany international is out of contract at Chelsea in 2022, and talks over a new deal are yet to lead to a positive solution.

Rudiger remains one of the first names on Thomas Tuchel's team sheet amid his contract stand-off, and the defender was supposedly unhappy with the club's latest offer of an extension.

According to Goal, Rudiger is after a yearly salary of €12m (£10.2m) to remain on the books at Chelsea, and Real Madrid would be happy to oblige.

Tuchel's side are being linked with a number of centre-back targets ahead of Rudiger's possible exit, with Ronald Araujo and Matthijs de Ligt both thought to be on the Blues' radar.

Rudiger has registered two goals and two assists from 17 games in all competitions this season and has played the full 90 minutes 12 times in the 2021-22 Premier League.