Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger insists that he has no intention of leaving the Spanish giants "any time soon" despite increasing transfer interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
At 32 and into the final 14 months of his contract, there is naturally speculation around Rudiger's future. Madrid have been strongly linked with numerous youthful centre-backs, including the Premier League pairing of Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen and Arsenal star William Saliba, as they prepare for what the Spanish press have dubbed a "transfer facelift" this summer.
However, Rudiger isn't quite ready to get cut.
"In football you never know, but where I am now, I am really, really happy," the Germany international told media before his country's Nations League quarter-final victory over Italy. "I am not looking forward to leave any time soon. That's it."
Everything suggests that Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti feels the same way. The Italian coach is never shy to praise his "warrior" defender, who has been remarkably durable during a season littered with defensive absentees for the Spanish champions.
Yet, the allure of Saudi Arabian football's riches can be hard to resist. Al Nassr have identified Rudiger as the ideal replacement for Aymeric Laporte in the event that the Spanish centre-back leaves this summer, according to Saudi outlet 365scores (via SPORT).
Ironically, Real Madrid have been one of numerous European sides linked with a move for Laporte, who has remained a fixture of the Spanish national team despite decamping for the third-best club in Saudi Arabia.
The former Manchester City defender may be two years younger than Rudiger, but his ex-Chelsea counterpart has proven himself to be as reliable as ever at the highest level of European football. Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, one of the few centre-backs in the world who could consider themselves to consistently produce performances of Rudiger's calibre, summed up the German's integral status at Real Madrid earlier this season.
When it was put to Van Dijk whether he could move to a Real Madrid side lacking in defensive solidity, he bluntly replied: "Antonio Rudiger is there, no?" If Rudiger has a say in the matter, he will remain in Madrid.
READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed
