Crystal Palace have been offered the opportunity to sign Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger on a free transfer this summer, according to a report from TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey.
Rüdiger’s representatives have contacted multiple Premier League clubs as the German international prepares to leave Madrid when his contract expires in June.
Crystal Palace have held talks with Antonio Rüdiger’s representatives as the 32-year-old prepares to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.
According to TEAMtalk, Rüdiger’s agents are actively sounding out Premier League clubs, including Palace, about a potential free transfer. The former Chelsea defender is reportedly willing to accept a significant pay cut in order to secure a return to England.
The German international’s contract with Real Madrid expires in June, meaning he will be available to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of Spain.
Chelsea were also offered the opportunity to re-sign Rüdiger but are not believed to be interested due to their policy of avoiding players over 30, despite his successful previous spell at Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace, however, face no such restrictions and could move decisively if they identify Rüdiger as a key defensive reinforcement for next season.
With chairman Steve Parish preparing for a potentially busy summer, Palace could attempt to move early and steal a march on rival clubs by securing the experienced centre-back’s signature ahead of pre-season.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
