Newcastle prepared to contend for Chelsea contract rebel in ambitious fight with powerhouses
Newcastle United are prepared to enter an ambitious fight for Chelsea contract rebel Antonio Rudiger, according to a report.
Rudiger, 29, has put powerhouses on alert all across all Europe this season with his refusal to renew his Blues deal past the summer. Real Madrid and PSG have each been heavily linked with the Germany international.
And a shock switch in the Premier League is a potential too. Tottenham were the first English side to emerge as an interested party last year.
Since then Manchester United are said to have been keeping a close eye on his situation. The free availability of a centre-back of Rudiger’s class is hard to ignore.
Ultimately, he wants to be earning a wage which he feels reflects his value. As the richest football club in the world, the Magpies should have no issue there.
Therefore, The Telegraph claim they will enter the race to sign him should he opt to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
It is noted, though, that the club’s Saudi-backed hierarchy are unlikely to ‘smash their wage structure’ for players on more than £200k-per-week.
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Previous reports have put Rudiger’s wage demands at slightly above that mark. So they’d have to reach a compromise.
They also wouldn’t be able to offer him Champions League football like many others in the battle can.
Their exciting project, which has already proved to be a big attraction in just one window, could however be enough to tempt him.
If successful, signing Rudiger would be a major statement of intent from Newcastle.
He has been one of the best defenders in the Prem since his arrival at Chelsea in 2017 and would majorly upgrade Eddie Howe’s backline.
Newcastle have alternative option
Newcastle target Barcelona centre back Clement Lenglet
Clement Lenglet is a summer target for Newcastle United as they start their European football challenge
Newcastle have another high-profile centre-back on their list of targets as an alternative too.
They are keen to sign Clement Lenglet from Barcelona in the summer after expressing an interest in January, as per Spanish newspaper Diario Sport (via Sport Witness).
Cash-strapped La Liga giants Barca have listed Lenglet as someone they could sell for a decent fee to raise funds.
They feel he is still marketable despite a drop-off in form. Because he is a left-footed centre-back with ball-playing abilities and professionalism, Lenglet has appealing qualities.
Newcastle could therefore fork out for his transfer, while his wages would not be an issue either.
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