Antonio Rudiger: Newcastle United in great position to sign ‘£400,000-a-week’ defender after development – pundit
Antonio Rudiger would be a “statement signing” for Newcastle United, according to Danny Mills.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Leeds United and England full-back claimed Newcastle’s negotiation position has been strengthened by the restrictions placed on Chelsea.
The Telegraph reported on Tuesday (8 March) the Magpies are ready to join the battle to sign the defender, 29, when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Government sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovic yesterday (10 March) mean Chelsea cannot tie their players down to new contracts.
“Newcastle United have certainly got the money so that won’t be an issue for them,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It would be another statement signing.
“The problem Rudiger has got now is, not only can they not sign for Chelsea he has also lot an enormous amount of bargaining power.
“We assume Chelsea were offering them deals and quite hefty deals. Suddely now those other clubs will say ‘Hold on, that option is off the table and you can’t sign for Chelsea.
“I just wonder if those parameters move slightly. He can’t say ‘If I stay at Chelsea I’m going to get £400,000-a-week’ because he’s not because he can’t sign anything.
“Any new club will say ‘What are your options? You can’t even stay at Chelsea on the money you are on now’.
“You always need two people interested on big money to get the price up and get a Dutch auction going. If there’s one suitor that club can say ‘Take it or leave it’.”
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