Chelsea have been told what it will cost for them to keep hold of Antonio Rudiger, after the centre-back knocked back the Blues' initial offer of a contract extension.
Rudiger has been an important player for the London club since Thomas Tuchel's arrival as manager, helping them win last season's Champions League and starting regularly at the heart of the defence this term.
The German international has been linked with a summer exit after failing to agree terms, with Premier League rivals Liverpool among those tipped to make a move.
Tuchel has sent a firm message to the 28-year-old, who joined from Roma in 2017, but Rudiger's hefty demands continue to cast doubt on whether the club will be able to keep him around before this season.
Should Chelsea meet Rudiger's demands? Have your say in the comments section
Rudiger is one of three Chelsea defenders out of contract in the summer, along with Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta, but his contract demands remain an obstacle.
According to Marca, the defender is asking for a new deal worth £46m - equivalent to £180,000 per week if spread across a five-year deal or £220,000 per week over four years.
The Blues are reported to have offered Rudiger a new deal which would see him earn £135,000 per week, but such a sum would not put him near the top of the highest-earning players at Stamford Bridge.
Were Rudiger to agree to the £135,000 offer, it would still leave him behind the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Timo Werner, two men who haven't shown themselves to be as important to the side.
The sum would leave him outside Chelsea's top 10 earners, with Romelu Lukaku - the Blues' record signing and best-paid player - on more than twice as much.
Rudiger is currently on £100,000 per week, and fellow centre-back Thiago Silva recently agreed a one-year contract extension in west London on a similar amount.
"Of course we are confident [over agreeing a new deal]," Tuchel said earlier in January after Rudiger's goal against Tottenham helped Chelsea book their place in the Carabao Cup final.
"We have things to offer and he is the player he is in a Chelsea shirt and in a Chelsea environment. I think he knows it very well."
The goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was his third of the season, after league strikes away to Tottenham and Leicester.
If Chelsea are unable to convince Rudiger to stay, a number of clubs could find themselves in the running for a summer transfer.
Marca mentions Bayern Munich, Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain as potential destinations if the player's demands are not met.
However, Real Madrid are no longer thought to be in the mix, with the Spanish club cooling their interest after strong links before the turn of the year.
