Chelsea have made it no secret that they are keen to bring in a new defender this summer. With several stars failing to impress at Stamford Bridge, a reshuffle across the backline is firmly on the cards over the coming months.
The Blues are already starting to explore available options to kickstart the window, and they are among the numerous clubs interested in activating the £50million release clause in Dean Huijsen’s contract with Bournemouth. Arsenal and Liverpool are also keen, but there are no guarantees the Spaniard remains in the Premier League.
Real Madrid are firmly in the picture and several reports have claimed that a move to the Santiago Bernabeu would be favoured by Huijsen – though that may not be the crushing blow that it would initially appear as it could open up the chance for Chelsea to make a statement in the market by bringing Antonio Rudiger back to the club.
According to Football Transfers, the Blues reached out to defender’s camp earlier this month to ask to be kept informed on whether his future still lies with Real Madrid this summer. If an exit is on the cards, Chelsea are ‘ready to negotiate’.
The 32-year-old left the Blues in 2022 as a free agent after contract talks broke down, but he insisted that the club will always be ‘in his heart’, which could be enough of an incentive for Todd Boehly and co to test the resolve of Madrid.
Los Blancos are in the heart of a defensive rebuild, with Trent Alexander-Arnold arriving as a free agent and several centre backs being eyed, such as Arsenal star William Saliba and Huijsen. As a result, an offer for the ageing Rudiger could prompt a tough decision for incoming manager Xabi Alonso.
Although Chelsea have prioritised signing the best available youngsters on the market under their current ownership, a sprinkling of experience would not go amiss – and Rudiger’s influence and relentless desire to win at all costs could allow him to lead by example for the next few seasons.
The importance of a veteran in the dressing room cannot be overlooked by Enzo Maresca, especially given that Rudiger has proven that he can still perform at the very highest level for Madrid in the La Liga and in the Champions League this season.