Juventus plot summer raid for Real Madrid defensive leader – report | OneFootball

After having gone through a difficult patch, due to continued fitness issues, Antonio Rudiger appears to be back to his best at Real Madrid.

The veteran defender has put in some extremely solid displays in recent games, particularly against Manchester City, with his form leading to a return to the Germany national team setup.

However, question marks linger over his future at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond this season, given that his contract expires on 30 June.

Juventus ready to move in on Rudiger

And, according to Tuttosport (h/t SPORT), Juventus have made Rudiger a priority target as they aim to compete again for the Serie A title. His candidacy has gained strength due to his strong relationship with head coach Luciano Spalletti.

The two previously worked together at AS Roma, where Spalletti played a key role in elevating the German defender after his early years in Italy.

Rudiger has recently added agent Hasan Cetinkaya to his representation, a figure who also maintains strong connections in Italy.

Rudiger is a target for Juventus. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

As such, the report states that initial contacts have already taken place regarding a potential deal that could deprive Real Madrid of a player who has become increasingly important under Alvaro Arbeloa.

Real Madrid had initially planned to part ways with Rudiger at the end of his contract, but Arbeloa is keen for him to remain at the club.

But Juventus’ unexpected interest could alter the situation significantly, as they are offering a him two-year contract, compared to the one-year extension Los Blancos are willing to propose.

What has Rudiger said on his future?

Speaking to the media about his contract situation earlier this week, Rudiger had said: “For me, the most important thing is to be healthy. I feel fine. As for the rest… I’m sure we’ll reach an agreement. Now is not the time to talk about it.”

“I feel good here. I notice the respect of the people and I appreciate it a lot. But sometimes you can’t just think about the emotional side; I also have to think about the fact that I feel good and I have a job to do. But I love Real Madrid.”

It now remains to be seen which way the German veteran leans amid growing interest from Juventus.