Real Madrid players 'are convinced Rudiger'll join the club on a free transfer'

Real Madrid players are growing in confidence that Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will join them on a free transfer next summer, according to reports.

Rudiger's current deal is set to expire at the end of the current campaign and has a host of top sides after him - including Bayern Munich and Madrid.

Chelsea have been left frustrated during contract talks with Rudiger having failed to make progress and agree fresh terms - the German is said to be demanding double the £140,000 the club are currently offering, as reported by the Telegraph.

Madrid are willing to stump up that salary, the report adds, with the Spanish giant's squad now believing more than ever that Rudiger will join their ranks next season.

If Rudiger does move to the Bernabeu, he would join former Chelsea stars in Eden Hazard and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois - who both forced moves to the Spanish capital over the last few years.

Both players are likely to give Rudiger a glowing report of life in Madrid, it continues, despite Hazard's struggles for form and fitness since making his £150million move in the summer of 2019.

Chelsea are intent on keeping Rudiger but are also concerned that they could be held to ransom as they continue negotiating contract, the Telegraph says, with fears the talks could set a precedent and cause issues in the dressing room.

The Blues could have a defensive crisis on their hands with centre-backs Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Thiago Silva all entering the final six months of their contracts, and boss Thomas Tuchel will be keen to tie some of them down.

This month Rudiger revealed he almost left Chelsea last year after being frozen out by former boss Frank Lampard, saying Tuchel 'opened a new door' to him.

'Yeah [I was close to leaving], the way things were going for myself but also for the team,' he told Sky Sports.

'But in the winter period I was not keen to leave, to be honest. It was more in the summer period where I wanted to leave.

'But Thomas Tuchel came and the rest is history. He opened a new door... he played a big role.'

He said he had to 'block out the noise' - which is what he has done now as rumours continue to swirl around his future.

'To be honest, it was easy [to carry on playing],' he said. 'There was also a lot of noise going on when the last coach was sacked.

'There were a lot of negative rumours and everything and stuff like this. And I kept on doing what I'm doing... I don't get easily shaken.'