Transfer rumors surrounding Real Madrid’s defense continue to circulate. According to the Spanish TV program The Chiringuito, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Jeddah is interested in acquiring Real Madrid center-back Antonio Rüdiger. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano promptly reported that Rüdiger has no intention of leaving Real Madrid this summer and instead wishes to continue wearing the white shirt to challenge for titles.
This busy summer has seen a significant setback to Real Madrid’s plans for refreshing their defensive line. The hijacking of Joao Gomes by Manchester United disrupted their strategy to fill the void left by Nacho’s departure. More worryingly, Real Madrid’s defense continues to face poaching threats from Saudi Arabian clubs. This time, the focus of the transfer rumors is on Real Madrid’s starting center-back, German international Antonio Rüdiger.
According to The Chiringuito, Rüdiger has caught the eye of Al Ittihad Jeddah. Following the appointment of Frenchman Laurent Blanc as head coach, the club has shifted its summer window focus to acquisitions. The team, which already boasts stars like Benzema and Kanté, aims to bring in the German international center-back and has offered him a lucrative after-tax salary of 13 million euros, nearly double his current earnings at Real Madrid.
For Real Madrid, Rüdiger has been a mainstay in the backline. Considering he was signed in 2022 for “zero cost,” the club is unwilling to let the German, who still has two years left on his contract, go at this stage. After missing out on Gomes, Real Madrid’s center-back options are limited, especially since Alaba is very likely to depart in the summer of 2025. The only reliable backup center-back currently available is Jesus Vallejo, who has returned from Granada.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Rüdiger does not intend to leave Real Madrid this summer. Instead, he wants to continue fulfilling his personal contract, which expires in 2026. This news comes as a relief to head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
