CHELSEA are rumoured to be considering selling Antonio Rudiger to aid their efforts to land Jules Kounde.
It is claimed the Blues may be open to January bids for the Germany ace, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid thought to be keen on the player.
Rudiger, 28, enjoyed an impressive season on the pitch for Thomas Tuchel’s side last term helping the club win the Champions League.
The centre-back, who has entered the last year of his current deal, is thought to be in conversations with the club over a potential extension.
Rudiger, who made 34 appearances last term, is reportedly looking for a wage rise to remain at Stamford at Bridge with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus among the sides after him.
The Telegraph reports the defender is stalling over an offer of a £140,000-a-week deal with Chelsea, who play Tottenham next.
And The Times claims the player wants his weekly salary to be increased to at least £200,000 with a view it could be his last major deal at football’s highest level.
Spanish media outlet La Colina de Nervion reports Blues director Marina Granovskaia may be willing to consider suitable bids for the star if contract talks remain unresolved by January.
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It thought the Blues would be looking to use any cash raised from a Rudiger sale to attempt to bring Sevilla ace Jules Kounde to London.
However, the Germany star remains a key figure for Tuchel’s who praised his performances in the Blues back four.
In May this year, Tuchel told reporters: “Nothing is better than what he is doing for a new contract
“If he wants to have a new contract he has our full support to stay at the club.
“He is speaking with his performances; he has been amazing since day one.
“He is leading by example and has a very positive aggressivity in him.
“This is what we like. When he can channel all this into top performances, as he does now, we are all very happy to have him.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
