Overview
- Real Madrid and Rudiger mutually put extension negotiations on hold following his late-September hamstring surgery, per multiple Spanish reports.
- The agreed roadmap is a mid-December return to action with negotiations revisited in early 2026 contingent on him performing at his previous level.
- Chelsea have opened discussions with Rudiger’s representatives about a potential free transfer, according to Fichajes and subsequent UK reports.
- Saudi clubs are prepared to table financially stronger offers than Real Madrid, with interest described as significant in Spanish reporting.
- Rudiger’s preference remains to continue at Real Madrid, where coaches value his leadership and mentorship of young centre-backs such as Dean Huijsen, though he has featured only sparingly this season due to injury.