According to Ficajes, Chelsea are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Antonio Rudiger back to Stamford Bridge in 2026.
The 32-year-old centre-back left Chelsea to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2022, and this could be his final chapter at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Rudiger’s contract at Real Madrid is due to enter its final six months in early 2026, and his situation has changed significantly under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The German defender has barely featured this season, with a lingering hamstring injury sidelining him for most of Alonso’s tenure.
Will Real Madrid release Antonio Rudiger?
Reports in Spain say the injury prematurely ends his playing days until 2025, fueling speculation that Madrid may opt to move on for the veteran centre-back.
Fichajes reported that Real Madrid have no plans to offer Rudiger a contract extension. Instead, La Liga bosses are now willing to sanction his departure as early as the January transfer window in order to at least recoup a small fee rather than lose him for free.
Chelsea sense an opportunity to reunite with one of their former defensive leaders and have already made initial contacts with Rudiger’s representatives regarding a return to London in 2026.
Healthy has submitted an early offer of £7 million to Real Madrid. However, the Spanish champions are understood to consider the offer to be far below their valuation, even taking into account Rudiger’s age and contract situation.
Chelsea are enduring a difficult situation with injuries to their defense, but the club still boasts considerable depth at centre-back.
Chelsea need more experience in defense
Stamford Bridge have the likes of Levi Colwill, Trevor Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Achiampong among their names, but Rudiger is a player with plenty of experience and a winning mentality that the Blues’ current defenders lack.
Nevertheless, the opportunity to add an elite and experienced leader like Rudiger, who previously won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea, remains attractive.
Rudiger is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. Champions League wins with Chelsea and Real Madrid underline his pedigree, and despite his current injury setbacks, he remains a respected figure in European football.
Former Chelsea attacker chased by Manchester United and Aston Villa
