Chelsea: Antonio Rudiger set to join Real Madrid next summer after reaching 'informal agreement'

Antonio Rudiger is set to leave Chelsea and seal a free move to Real Madrid next summer after reportedly reaching an informal agreement with the Spanish club.

Rudiger, 28, has just under seven months remaining on his current Blues contract, yet talks over an extension appear to have hit a stumbling block.

The Germany centre-back is understood to have received more lucrative offers to join Madrid and Bayern Munich when his deal expires, meaning Stamford Bridge officials are resigned to losing him on a free transfer next summer as things stand.

According to The Independent, Madrid are leading the race for Rudiger's signature after reaching an 'informal agreement' with his brother and agent Sahr Senesie.

Senesie met with Los Blancos chiefs a few weeks ago to discuss a potential free transfer for his sibling, which the two parties can officially begin negotiating at the turn of the year under the Bosman ruling.

While nothing has been signed as of yet, Chelsea may have the best part of a month to put a new and improved offer on the table and keep Rudiger out of Madrid's clutches.

Senesie is also said to have met with Bayern Munich bigwigs last week, with the German champions keen to beat Madrid to the signing.

Manchester United and Tottenham are circling too, however Rudiger is looking to move abroad if he does indeed choose to leave Chelsea.

The defender's departure would come as a major blow to Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel, who has revived his career since taking the Stamford Bridge reins in January.

After falling out of favour under predecessor Frank Lampard, Rudiger was given a new lease of life under Tuchel, flourishing as a key member of his three-man defence and playing a key part in their Champions League triumph last season.

Tuchel said last month: 'The situation is the situation. We want him to stay, this is very clear and he knows it.

'But sometimes in these situations, there is a certain delay and, obviously, there is a delay in these talks and his decision.'