Antonio Rudiger has detailed the talks that he held with Real Madrid ahead of his departure from Chelsea this summer. The 29-year-old swapped Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu following the expiration of his contract in west London, penning a four-year deal with Carlo Ancelotti's side.
The Germany international featured 202 times for the Blues during his five-year tenure at the club and, despite a shaky start, he quickly grew into a pillar of Chelsea's success. football.london understand that Rudiger passed on a new deal which would have made him the highest-paid defender in the club's history.
He was reportedly demanding a huge signing-on fee for a new contract, along with agents' fees, effectively putting the deal out of reach for the west Londoners. While Chelsea were unable to discuss a new deal with the defender in the latter stages of the season due to the sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich by the UK Government and the subsequent special licence that the club had to operate under, the offer was tabled before the sanctions were introduced, meaning that there was an opportunity for Rudiger to accept a deal.
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Nevertheless, the centre-half set his sights on newly-crowned Champions League winners Real Madrid. However, during his official Los Blancos unveiling, Rudiger detailed the extent of talks with the Spanish giants.
"The first time I got in contact, not really me, my agent, was early September," said Rudiger. "The second time, I spoke with Mr Ancelotti, was in April. That was the most important moment. That was when I made my choice. I wanted to play for this club under him. There was interest from Barcelona but I told my brother, it’s Real or nothing."
Speaking in April, Thomas Tuchel confirmed Rudiger's departure and detailed the Blues' uphill battle to ward off interest in the defender. He said: "He informed me of this is in a private talk. We gave everything - me and the club - but we could not fight anymore because of the actions. Without the sanctions, we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It is his decision.
"He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot. He gives courage in the dressing room. The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He is a top defender in the last one and a half years for me. We then need to find another solution."
