Tottenham have reportedly opened talks over bringing Antonio Rudiger back to the Premier League in the summer.
Rudiger spent five years with Spurs' London rivals Chelsea from 2017 to 2022 before making the move to Spain to join Real Madrid.
Now, Rudiger is looking for his next move, with his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu coming to an end this summer and there is plenty of interest from the Premier League.
GIVEMESPORT reported last week that Rudiger had been 'offered' to a number of clubs, with Tottenham among them. But now, CaughtOffside report that things have gone further than that, with Spurs opening talks to sign the 32-year-old defender.
No One Has Paid A Transfer Fee for Rudiger Since 2017
With Rudiger in the final few months of his contract in the Spanish capital, it would be the second move in his career where he has left on a free transfer, having done the same when leaving Chelsea to join Los Blancos. There has been no indication that Rudiger will put pen to paper on a new contract to remain in the Spanish capital past the end of this season and that has led to interest from far and wide.
The German international has won everything there is to be won in his career so far, lifting the UEFA Champions League on two occasions - once with Chelsea and once with Madrid.
He is reported to earn around £170,000 net per week at Real Madrid, but is also reported to be willing to accept a pay cut, although without the need for a transfer fee, he could demand more in terms of wages as a result to make the move to north London.
Tottenham Defenders Could be On The Move This Summer
Fellow London clubs West Ham United and Crystal Palace are also understood to be interested in signing the centre-back on a free transfer in the summer. There has also been interest from Saudi Pro League sides, while Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping an eye on his situation at the Bernabeu.
Tottenham brought in young centre-back Kota Takai in the summer transfer window, before sending him out on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach while Luka Vuskovic will also return to the club from his loan spell with Hamburg.
There are question marks over Radu Dragusin's long-term future at the club, while first choice pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will have interest from elsewhere too come the summer, particularly given Spurs' indifferent form this season.
Should Tottenham Sign Antonio Rudiger?
We asked ChatGPT if Rudiger would be a good signing for Spurs. The following is the AI verdict on the defender making the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Rudiger could be a very good short-term signing - providing leadership, experience and defensive improvement - especially on a free transfer.
However, Spurs also need to think long-term, manage fitness concerns, and balance fan sentiment. He wouldn’t necessarily be a transformative signing for the future, but he would improve the defence now if they can secure him.