Antonio Rudiger has spoken about his frustrations over Chelsea contract negotiations as he prepares to wave goodbye to Stamford Bridge.
The German was a target of Manchester United after the club learned he was heading for the exit door. United officials had entered exploratory talks with the player’s representatives although a deal never looked likely.
Instead, Rudiger will be jetting off to Real Madrid on a free this summer. With Chelsea still under sanctions, the club are unable to renew, or offer new, contracts.
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The Blues are hoping to get Todd Boehly’s consortium takeover across the line before the end of the month, despite some late stumbling blocks. But either way, it seems Rudiger may have been off anyway.
The 29-year-old shared his thoughts in The Players’ Tribune on Friday, where he revealed he “had to make a decision” amid an uncertain future. He wrote: “Unfortunately, my contract negotiations had already started to get difficult last fall.
“Business is business, but when you don’t hear any news from the club from August to January, the situation becomes complicated. After the first offer, there was a long gap of just nothing.
“We’re not robots, you know? You cannot wait for months with so much uncertainty about your future.”
He added: “Obviously, no one saw the sanctions coming, but in the end, other big clubs were showing interest, and I had to make a decision. I will leave it at that, because business aside, I have nothing bad to say about this club.
“Chelsea will always be in my heart. London will always be my home.”
Erik ten Hag recently praised Ajax centre-half Jurrien Timber amid interest from clubs across Europe and United have also revived interest in Pau Torres.
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