Chelsea defender stalling over new contract

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has stalled over contract negotiations, according to The Times.

The German has evolved into a key player under manager Thomas Tuchel, and has been almost ever-present in central defence.

Tuchel has been vocal about a potential new deal for Rudiger, but the hierarchy are reluctant to bow to the defender's demands.

Rudiger is eyeing a final big-money contract. He wants a £70,000 raise on his current weekly wages of around £130,000.

The board have refused to meet his demands. They are reluctant to pay him more than £150,000-a-week to extend his stay.

Rudiger is now seriously considering a move elsewhere. He has 10 months left on his deal and can talk to foreign clubs in January.

Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Juventus and Atletico Madrid are all waiting for the opportunity to negotiate with him.

The European champions will need to act fast or they could lose Rudiger on a free transfer at the end of the ongoing campaign.