Antonio Rudiger has agreed to stay at Chelsea, but now looks set to depart in the summer with several European giants keen to secure his services.
Reports from his native Germany claim the 29-year-old centre-back showed a willingness to sign a new contract with the Blues, with his current deal set to expire at the end of this season.
According to Bild, Rudiger had agreed personal terms over a new deal to remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the 2021/22 campaign.
However, the Blues were prevented from finalising his extension by the restrictions handed to them last week as part of the sanctions facing Roman Abramovich.
As things stand, the European and world champions are under a cloud of uncertainty after the Russian billionaire, who has owned the club since 2003, was sanctioned by the UK government due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Such measures have stopped the club from selling match-day tickets or merchandise, leaving supporters unable to attend games unless they are season ticket holders.
Chelsea are also unable to spend no more than £20,000 on away travel to matches, and are prevented from negotiating player contracts or signing new players.
It means whatever agreement was made with Rudiger has now been made meaningless, with the defender unable to sign the deal and now set to leave on a free transfer this summer.
The German and his representatives had agreed personal terms, according to the reports, but were unable to reach a full agreement over the possibility of extending his stay over wage demands.
Chelsea failed to finalise a signing-on fee before the sanctions against them were introduced earlier this month.
A host of European clubs are interested in securing his signature, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Premier League rivals Manchester United all keen.
When previously quizzed on the matter of where he will be playing his club football next season, Rudiger hinted he could remain at Stamford Bridge, but it seems he will now leave given the restrictions currently in place.
“I feel great here, I have always said it,” Rudiger told The Athletic last month.
“I think the way I play you can see that I'm happy here, but there are also other people who have to make decisions.”