Four European heavyweights begin talks with Chelsea defender over summer move

Chelsea recovered from a disastrous opening 30 minutes against Liverpool on Sunday to rescue a point at Stamford Bridge and keep their slim title hopes alive. 

Two early goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah had put the visitors in control in West London, before a spectacular strike from Mateo Kovacic and a goal from Christian Pulisic drew the hosts level before the break.

The point kept the Blues’ slim title hopes alive and kept them ahead of Liverpool, although they remain ten points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are, however, still on their worst run of the season, having won just three of their last nine league matches.

There could now be further bad news for Tuchel and the club’s supporters, with news that German defender Antonio Rudiger has begun negotiations with a number of European clubs.

The former Roma man is set to be out of contract in the summer, and is therefore free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club this month.

Rudiger looks set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer

He has been linked to a number of clubs in recent months, but Germany champions Bayern Munich and French giants Paris Saint-Germain have now started talks with the player, as per Sky Sports.

Spanish side Real Madrid and Italian giants Juventus are also involved in discussions with the player according to the report, while Chelsea remain hopeful of extending the German’s stay in the capital.

Chelsea’s last offer to Rudiger was rebuffed almost immediately by the German defender, who was not pleased with Chelsea’s reluctance to make him one of the club’s highest earners.

Manchester United are also credited with an interest in the 28-year-old, however they are at a disadvantage to their rivals as they are not able to sign a deal as early as the other four sides linked with him.

Rudiger has played the most minutes of any of the Blues’ outfield players so far this season in the Premier League, having played the entirety of all but one of Chelsea’s 21 games so far.

The report also suggests that Rudiger could even become the world’s highest-paid defender if he does join one of the European heavyweights that he is being linked with.