Antonio Rudiger ‘receives offers to become highest-paid defender in the world’

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has received ‘several mega offers’ from Saudi Arabia that would make him the highest-paid defender in football, according to a report.

Rudiger has cemented his standing as one of the world’s leading centre-backs in recent years, enjoying two fantastic final seasons at Chelsea before joining Madrid on a free transfer in 2022.

After a fairly quiet debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu, Rudiger returned to his best form as Los Blancos won the 2023/24 Champions League, while they also snatched back La Liga from rivals Barcelona.

The 31-year-old is continuing to attract attention from the Saudi Pro League, and Sky Sport Germany have quite the update on their interest.

It is claimed that two of the league’s leading sides – Al Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays his club football, and Neymar’s Al Hilal – would be willing to pay Rudiger a world-record salary for a defender, and he has already been tabled offers.

However, Rudiger is under contract at Madrid until 2026 and he has no intention of leaving. Similarly, the club view him as a player who will not be sold under any circumstance and someone still firmly in manager Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

Madrid have already seen club captain Nacho Fernandez leave at the end of his contract for Saudi side Al-Qadsiah, while David Alaba could be out until 2025 as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.

Rather than allow another centre-back to leave, Madrid are looking to strengthen in that position. Their top target is Leny Yoro, but they are at this stage reluctant to meet Lille’s €50m asking price – the French side have accepted an offer from Manchester United, but the player has not yet green-lit a move to Old Trafford.