Real Madrid defender open to Saudi Arabia exit with contract talks on the horizon

Real Madrid have already decided that they need to sign another central defender sooner or later, as they try to plan for the future of their backline. However the exit of one of their stalwarts could be closer than some expect.

David Alaba is still coming back from a long-term knee injury, and while his status is uncertain, Eder Militao is set to be a fixture for the coming years. Antonio Rudiger has very much been the glue that has held the backline together over the last 12 months amid their respective injuries, but his future will be on the agenda sooner rather than later.

According to Relevo, Rudiger is open to the idea of finishing his career in Saudi Arabia, where he would no doubt be richly rewarded. He is attracted by the idea, and the Saudi Investment Fund has not been shy about trying to tempt Real Madrid stars in recent times, with Karim Benzema. Luka Modric, Nacho Fernandez, Eder Militao and Vinicius Junior all being approached over the last three years. That said, Real Madrid do not believe he will leave next summer.

Rudiger is out of contract in 2026, and being 33 years of age, Los Blancos will only offer him a one-year renewal as a matter of club policy. Those talks will likely only occur in his final season too, next year, and Saudi Arabia may look to tempt Los Blancos into a sale, particularly if they are investing in their defence in the summer anyway. If the European champions do want to keep Rudiger next year, it would be a surrpise to see him push for an exit, if his starting role is under threat, it could alter his thinking.

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