Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia has new transfer saga to solve due to Bayern Munich
Chelsea face a fresh transfer dilemma as Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in signing
Antonio Rudiger.
The defender’s contract expires at the end of the season and fresh terms are yet to be
agreed.
Rudiger has been a key player for Thomas Tuchel’s side at the start of the season, playing in
a back three that has conceded just one goal in five matches.
Worryingly for Tuchel and sporting director Marina Granovskaia, the 28-year-old is one
of three centre-backs who have entered the final year of their respective contracts.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen also have their deals end in 2022.
The latter revealed on international duty that talks over an extension were progressing
well.
All three players departing would leave Tuchel with just Thiago Silva and Nathaniel Chalobah
as his only centre-back options.
Reece James has also played in the role.
It was perhaps why Chelsea were so keen to sign a defender in the summer transfer window
but ultimately failed.
It was widely reported that the West Londoners tried to sign Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
And Tuchel and Granovskaia have suffered another blow as Rudiger apparently has interest from
elsewhere.
According to Bild, Bayern Munich have contacted the player’s agent and brother, Sahr Senesie.
The Bundesliga club would be allowed to discuss a possible summer switch in January as out-of-contract
players can speak to foreign clubs upon the turn of the year.
However, Bild continue that it is likely that Rudiger will instead agree a new contract
at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea boss Tuchel was certainly confident of that possibility last week.
"We hope that they find the solution and everything I can say, he plays excellent, and since a
long time very consistent, on a very high level,” the German told reporters about
Rudiger, who scored in the club’s 3-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
"I see him very calm and focused, and it's not a distraction for him.
So everything is in place, and give things the time they need.
“Sometimes it needs a bit longer, sometimes things are very fast.
"There's no news from my side, and I think that Toni feels very, very good at Chelsea,
he feels very respected by his team-mates and he feels the importance that he has in
the team and in the squad.
“That's well deserved because he delivers, he feels the love from the supporters when
he plays.
"He's in the strongest league in Europe, in a big club, so not many reasons to change
that.
But in the end it's between him and the club, and that's in good hands.
“I am calm and relaxed, whatever has to happen will happen."