Newcastle mulling over free transfer move for £70m-valued star

Newcastle United have reportedly expressed an interest in making a move for Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger.

According to The Telegraph, the Magpies are prepared to join the race to land the defender on a free this summer.

Newcastle have done superbly over the past few weeks, going seven points clear of the Premier League bottom three.

Indeed, Eddie Howe’s charges are now closer to the top half of the table, which is just five points ahead.

While Newcastle still have some work to do, the Magpies board can cast an eye towards the summer transfer window.

And Rudiger would be a superb signing for Newcastle, a defender of the highest calibre with plenty of PL experience.

However, the Magpies are reportedly reluctant to sign players earning over £200,000-per-week at this stage.

This is comfortably below what Rudiger would likely demand to join a club not competing in Europe.

Nonetheless, there’s always the chance that the Newcastle hierarchy could change their stance in the next few months.

The 29-year-old has been able to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club since January.

However, it now looks like he will wait until the end of the season before deciding his future.

As well as Newcastle, the likes of Real Madrid are apparently eyeing Rudiger.

“He’s a hell of a player”

90Min reported in December that Chelsea have resigned themselves to losing Rudiger at the end of the season.

The defender has become a key part of his club’s line-up, helping his side win the Champions League last term.

Thomas Tuchel’s appointment saw Rudiger return to prominence after links away the previous summer.

His efforts saw him make Rio Ferdinand’s Team of the Year back in January.

The Premier League legend lauded the defender on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.

“Since Thomas Tuchel has come in, I think he’s been the best defender around,” said Ferdinand.

“Aggressive, dominates, demands from others, the crowd feed off the way he plays, all-round I think he’s been tremendous.

“The element of a new contract has focused him as well.

“I think he’s a hell of a player, whoever gets him for the new couple of years has got a great, solid player who the other players feed off.”

Meanwhile, Paul Merson wrote in the Daily Star that the Blues are effectively losing a £70million-rated player for nothing.

“Chelsea are going to miss Antonio Rudiger when he goes because it will take £60-70million to replace him,” he wrote.

“Rudiger is definitely leaving. If he wanted to sign a new contract he would have done it by now. There’s no chance he stays now.”