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Newcastle United has joined the race to sign out of contract Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger this summer.
The German center-back has been linked with European giants Paris Saint Germain, Real Madrid, and Manchester United with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
The 29-year-old has not ruled out staying at Stamford Bridge, but his departure is looking likely as he looks no closer to penning a new deal.
The Magpies are willing to fight it out with some of the biggest clubs in the world for his signature, according to the reports.
The signing of Rudiger would show a real statement of intent from Newcastle’s new Saudi Arabian owners.
Boss Eddie Howe was allowed to bring in the likes of Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Matt Targett, Bruno Guimaraes, and Dan Burn during the January transfer window.
The Magpies have drastically improved their form since the window and will be looking to splash the cash once again this summer.
Newcastle’s takeover by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has made them major players in the transfer market, although they have remained cautious in terms of weekly wages so far.
But they have already managed to persuade England international Trippier to swap LaLiga winners Atletico Madrid for Tyneside and now the priority will be Rudiger as they look to add another center-back.
Rudiger would be a huge signing given his impact at Chelsea since joining Roma for £31million in 2017.
The defender has made more than 124 appearances for the Blues and helped the club seal plenty of silverware including the FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel also admitted this week he fears Roman Abramovich’s sale of the club could have an impact on negotiations with players who are out of contract in the summer.
Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are in a similar position to Rudiger and Barcelona is keen on signing the pair as free agents.
‘The bottom line is maybe we can’t help it – it is what it is,’ Tuchel said. ‘You never know maybe it has a positive effect on the negotiations or maybe it has a negative effect.
‘We cannot predict and I would like not to predict on scenarios because you just lose focus, but everyone has a different situation and feels different about it (the sale).
‘I hope for the best outcome still, I think we have something to offer still. Chelsea is a strong club and will stay a strong club.
‘Our owner decided to sell the club but he sells a strong, solid, organized club at the highest level.’
Vincent Paul
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