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RUD SIGNING
Real Madrid ‘reach agreement with Rudiger’ over free transfer for Chelsea defender after offering huge wage packet
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REAL MADRID have reportedly reached an agreement with Antonio Rudiger after offering the Chelsea defender huge wages.
The star's contract expires at Stamford Bridge in June and he has rejected numerous offers to stay.
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He snubbed a package worth more than £200,000-a-week - which 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.
But Blues boss Thomas Tuchel revealed the pair had a "private talk" where it was decided his future would be away from the club - meaning he will leave for free.
Now claims that the 29-year-old only has to put pen to paper on his contract with Madrid after agreeing terms over a four-year deal with them.
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He tweeted: "The agreement between Toni Rudiger and Real Madrid has been reached on a four year deal, valid until June 2026.
"It’s matter of final details before signing the contracts.
"No official announcement before the end of the season, even if Toni will sign in May."
Theadd that Real Madrid's offer will "far surpass" what Chelsea were willing to offer the centre-back.
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It's added that he also turned down big offers from other European giants.
Blues boss Tuchel had said: "Toni, the media is on it. 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 actions.
"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."
Rudiger joined Chelsea from Roma in 2017 and has racked up 196 appearances for the club, lifting five trophies including last season's Champions League.
However, with his contract expiring, months of negotiations and Chelsea currently banned from handing out any new deals, he has decided to walk away.
Speaking after Sunday's last-gasp 1-0 win over West Ham, Tuchel added: "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.
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"The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level.
"He has been a top defender in the last one-and-a-half years for me. We then need to find another solution."
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