Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has been spotted doing some charitable work back in Sierra Leone amid fresh news of a £200,000 a week contract snub with Real Madrid, Man United and Juventus looming in the background.
Rudiger's future has been the talk of many fans over the past few months, with the German being one of three defenders who could still walk out of the door on a free transfer if his contract demands aren't met.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen are the other two players linked to the Stamford Bridge exit doors and football.london understands that there is a high chance as it stands that some of the trio do depart this summer.
The likes of Jules Kounde, Niklas Sule and Matthijs de Ligt amongst others have been linked to a potential west London summer move if any of the defenders were to leave on a free.
For Chelsea's No.2, Real Madrid and Juventus are the main two options on the table - the latter of the two reportedly could hand the Blues a massive advantage in their pursuit of de Ligt.
However, there is a growing feeling despite this fresh blow, that talks are more back on track for the former Roma man in comparison to the other two defenders whose futures remain more uncertain as the days go on.
football.london initially understood that around close to £200,000 a week could be enough to sign the centre-half down to a new contract, and player's representatives are reportedly now demanding around £225,000, as per the Athletic.
This has been confirmed also by multiple outlets including the Metro who have added that the European Champions remain 'optimistic' that they can solve this precarious situation.
Whilst talks go on behind the scenes, the player himself has been busy in the public eye during this mini break with all the fantastic work that he has been doing back home in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone themselves, the footballing minnows that they are, did themselves proud in the Africa Cup of Nations by claiming big draws against Algeria and Ivory Coast respectively in the group stages but then losing to Equatorial Guinea in the crunch game that eventually decided who progressed in second place from Group E.
Rudiger has constantly been posting his supportive messages to the team, congratulating them on their great achievements at the tournament in Cameroon and the central defender even made the trip to Africa during the break to show his support for a country that is very close to his heart.
And this has been represented with the hero welcome he received when he stepped off the plane but also with what he has been spotted doing before making the trip back to England to prepare for the FA Cup tie against Plymouth.
As per @saifpr Instagram account, he posted a story showing Rudiger opening his own AR foundation in a country that will massively benefit from his help and support.
The story included the hashtag #GiveBack which demonstrated just how much of a humble and caring person the defender is off the pitch.
He even reflected on his important 'break' to the Chelsea FC website: "It was a tough period but you know when you sign for this club how busy the schedule is.
"A break is always good but for me personally, we could also have kept going if we needed to because you always have to be on your toes and ready.
"Even with Covid-19 and everything, we kept playing and training every day so of course it was difficult but we survived."
But now that he is back in England and poised to start against Plymouth in the FA Cup on Saturday due to Thiago Silva's involvement for Brazil in recent days, all talk will once again switch to on the field matters in the next few hours.
One way or another, Tuchel is keen to tie down a guy who he knows will still play a big part under his managerial watch - the same wasn't said when Frank Lampard was manager of his beloved club.
"I don't know if it helps if I take him out for a lot of coffees, it might even push him out! I don't feel he needs a lot of coffees with me. He is a guy who needs to trust you. He needs to feel the connection and trust. He needs to feel it by minutes and actions," Tuchel joked before the Chesterfield game last month.
"I don't feel Toni needs a lot of words, coffee talks or invitations for dinners or whatever. He is a top professional. This is what he proves and nothing has changed. The talks are in good hands. I trust the club 100%, trust in the player and it is a no problem situation for me.
"Also, Toni can still deliver, he did a fantastic match in a back four. He is super reliable. Nothing has changed, the points of view haven't changed and once something changes. You will be the first to know."
