Barcelona are reportedly unlikely to make an offer to bring Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger to the Nou Camp this summer, despite having been in contact with the player’s representatives.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the La Liga giants are close to finalising a transfer to bring Andreas Christensen to the club from Stamford Bridge. Additionally, central defender Ronald Araujo will extend his contract with Xavi’s side, negating any need for the club to sign Rudiger on top of those deals.
Barcelona Unlikely to Make Official Offer to Antonio Rudiger Despite Talks With Player Representatives
Rudiger Had Been Considered a Perfect Option For La Liga Giants
Where Rudiger will be playing next season remains a mystery, with many onlookers having tipped the Germany international to join Xavi’s Barcelona rennaissance in the summer.
The 29-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season, and Chelsea are currently unable to negotiate new deals with any of their first-team players.
Those circumstances made a possible move to Barcelona appear likely at one stage, with the Spanish side incresingly tapping into the free agent market as they continue their rebuild.
Rudiger’s representatives had been in direct contact with Barcelona, but those discussions are now not considered likely to lead to a transfer taking place at the end of the season.
Christensen to Join Araujo in Committing to Barcelona
If the club’s discussions over signing Andreas Christensen from Chelsea were not at such at advanced stage, perhaps Barcelona would be pursuing their interest in signing Rudiger more fiercely.
However, the official announcement that Christensen will be a Barcelona player next season is now considered a mere formality, with a deal to sign the 25-year-old as a free agent this summer having essentially been concluded already.
23-year-old centre-back Ronald Araujo is also certain to extend his contract with Barcelona, meaning the Uruguay international can expect to play alongside Christensen at the heart of the club’s defence many times in the coming years.
Araujo is a fans’ favourite at the Nou Camp, and has made 23 appearances in La Liga so far this season.
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