Chelsea confident of keeping star after Real Madrid drop interest to sign him

• Real Madrid no longer interested in signing Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger who they had previously been targeting
• The German centre-half is out of contract at the end of the season and is now free to sign a pre-contract with another team this January
• Rudiger has been a key player since Thomas Tuchel took charge of Chelsea and was instrumental in their Champions League victory

Chelsea football club has been given a huge boost in their bid to tie highly-rated defender Antonio Rudiger to a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year old contract runs out at the end of the season and talks between the defender and Chelsea seem to have hit a brick wall after reports emerged top clubs including Real Madrid, PSG, and Manchester United were showing interest in the German international.

According to Spanish news outlet Marca, it is now confirmed Real Madrid are no longer interested in signing Chelsea centre-back, who they had previously been targeting on a free transfer as his current contract is set to expire next summer.

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Rudiger’s financial demands seems to be the stumbling block for Real Madrid as the 28-year old as The Mirror reports the German was looking to take home a net figure of €200k-a-week in the Spanish capital, which, with taxes, would see Madrid paying in excess of €350k-a-week.

Chelsea are now confident of keeping their ever reliable defender with Real Madrid pulling out of the deal after the Spanish team decided not to spend more money and will instead rely on current pairing of Eder Militao and David Alaba.

Rudiger has been a key member of the Chelsea backline since fellow German Thomas Tuchel took over at the Bridge as was instrumental in Chelsea winning the UEFA Champions League last season.

Chelsea striker Lukaku issues public apology to fans, returns to training with the first team

Earlier Sportsbrief reported Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has issued a public apology to Chelsea fans, manager, teammates, and the board after his recent interview that caused a major backlash from the Blues supporters and management.

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The Belgian striker said he would still be an Inter Milan player if they had offered him a new contract, and this caused Blues fans to be upset with the striker.

The former Everton striker has now issued a public apology to all Chelsea supporters for his comments and promised to once again earn the trust of the Blues fans.