Newcastle United look set to spend big this summer as they set about building a side that is capable of competing for silverware over the next few years.
Their £300 million Saudi-led takeover has given them the advantage of huge financial backing and that is certainly going to ring true come the end of the season. The Magpies will be looking to bring in top quality all over the pitch in order to bolster their ranks and Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is already one of the early names to be linked with a move to Tyneside.
And following the turmoil in which the west London club have been put in following Roman Abramovich ’s sanctioning by the UK Government due to alleged links with Vladimir Putin, there is plenty of uncertainty over the future of a number of Blues players. Chelsea legend Petr Cech has admitted he "does not know" whether Chelsea can keep hold of players who are out of contract this summer and that could be a big boost in the Magpies’ pursuit of Rudiger.
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Cech, who is now a technical and performance advisor at Stamford Bridge, told Sky Sports : "That is something we do not know at the moment, and that is why the conversations are going on. We would like to know these answers as soon as possible so we know how we can operate with the team going forward. Unfortunately, as I already said, we go day by day and need to, at the moment, listen to the advice given to us by the government."
There has already been much speculation over Rudiger’s future without the recent events that have unfolded in west London, with his current contract situation attracting plenty of admirers in January. But if the Magpies could take advantage of the situation and sign the German international, it would be some signing and a real statement of intent.
And despite the fact that Newcastle will need to match the big money that the defender is currently on at Stamford Bridge, their wealthy backing will be more than capable of covering his demands. The only struggle would most likely be convincing Rudiger to join, as he will have plenty of offers from some of Europe’s top clubs, having already been linked with the likes of Barcelona in January.
The 29-year-old has become one of the best defenders in the Premier League and has been integral to Chelsea’s recent success under Thomas Tuchel, in particular the UEFA Champions League title last season. Rudiger has already made 40 appearances in all competitions this campaign alone - Newcastle have played 30 games in 2021/22 - and has achieved FIFA Club World Cup success, while the Blues remain in the hunt for the FA Cup and the Champions League.
