Real Madrid are reportedly confident that Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will agree to join them when his contract expires next summer.
The Germany international, 28, is a key player for Thomas Tuchel’s men but looks likely to leave on a free when his current deal is up.
The Blues are keen to keep Rudiger but time is running out to agree an extension before January 1 when the centre-back is free to discuss pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs.
And the Athletic are claiming that there is growing confidence in Madrid that they will reach an agreement.
The report indicates that Rudiger turned down a £140,000-a-week offer from the West Londoners over the summer, with the talent looking for closer to £200k.
He currently earns £90k per week, just a third of what Germany team-mates Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are on at the club.
A number of other sides, including Bayern Munich, are thought to be interested in Rudiger and are willing to match his demands to get the deal done.
In other news, one Madrid player could be heading in the opposite direction with Chelsea looking to bring midfielder Casemiro to Stamford Bridge, according to El Nacional.
Italian outlet Calciomercato claim Liverpool are monitoring Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
But the Reds could be set to miss out on FC Salzburg striker Karim Adeyemi, with Goal reporting that Borussia Dortmund are favourites to sign the highly-rated 19-year-old.
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