Rudiger’s agent spotted in transfer talks with Barcelona as Chelsea fear losing hat-trick of stars to Spanish giants
BARCELONA are planning a stunning hat-trick of transfer raids on Chelsea as they plot their way back to greatness.
The Spanish giants have now entered the race as shock contenders to sign Blues’ defender Antonio Rudiger.
Rudiger’s agent Sahr Senesie, the player’s brother, held talks with Barcelona representatives on Wednesday.
The two parties had a three hour meeting at a posh hotel in Barcelona's centre less than 24 hours after Rudiger played for Germany in a friendly against Holland.
Barcelona have been struggling with major cash flow problems in recent months.
Yet the shock move for Rudiger also comes just two days after the club’s president Joan Laporta boasted that his side have already completed the signings of two big name players for the summer.
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One is believed to be Rudiger’s team-mate Andreas Christensen.
And Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is also edging closer to a move to Spain despite having a contract extension automatically triggered.
Rudiger and Christensen will be allowed to leave for free at the end of this season under the Bosman ruling.
And insiders close to talks between Azpilicueta and Chelsea hinted that he may be released as a gesture of goodwill if he can find a better offer elsewhere.
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Real Madrid and Juventus have been trying for months to lure Rudiger with huge money on offer and promises of building their futures around one of the most sought-after defenders in the world.
Losing all three players to one club seems unthinkable but Chelsea are in a precarious position.
Talks with Christensen over a new deal broke down weeks ago and now appears to be beyond repair.
Rudiger and the club failed to agree terms for a contract extension and are at an impasse.
Azpilicueta, 32, loves Chelsea and life in London but wants a long-term contract but the club will only offer 12 months.
And sanctions imposed on Chelsea’s outgoing owner Roman Abramovich even mean they cannot negotiate new contracts with existing players as well as buy and sell others.
Boss Thomas Tuchel does have rookies Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah coming through with more and more first team experience to help combat any loss of stars like Rudiger, Azpilicueta and Christensen.