Antonio Rudiger WILL quit Chelsea in summer after rejecting £200k-a-week offer with Real Madrid leading transfer race

THOMAS TUCHEL has been dealt a devastating blow to his already shaky defence with Antonio Rudiger definitely leaving Chelsea this summer.

The German pierced himself out of a new deal by turning down a contract worth more than £200,000 a week.

It would have made him the highest paid defender in the club’s 117 year history.

It is also believed Rudiger priced himself out of staying by demanding a hefty signing on fee plus a big sum for his agent.

All of these incentives were offered prior to UK Government sanctions were imposed on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the club had plenty of cash.

Chelsea refused to buckle and Rudiger, 29, will now leave Chelsea for nothing in just a few weeks’ time after five years at the club.

Spanish giants Real Madrid, who knocked Chelsea out of this year’s Champions League, are favourites to sign him.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, Rudiger has emerged as arguably the best defender with his athletic nature, leadership qualities and aggressive nature.

Only recently boss Tuchel repeated his hope that Rudiger would stay on to help build a new era at Chelsea.

Fellow centre back Andreas Christensen is also out of contract at the end of the season and looks set to leave to join Madrid’s great Spanish rivals Barcelona.

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Rudiger has played 196 times for Chelsea since joining from Roma in 2017.

He has helped the Blues win the Champions League, FA Cup, Europa League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in his five years at Stamford Bridge.

Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta is also coming to the end of his contract but Chelsea can activate a clause to make him stay a further 12 months.