The Athletic revealed earlier this month the Germany international is now looking for a salary in the region of £225,000-a-week to remain at Stamford Bridge.
It is understood Rudiger, who is one of the lowest paid senior players in the squad right now on £90,000-a-week, had already made up his mind to leave earlier in the campaign. The 28-year-old had been offered around £140,000 to stay in August with the warning the offer wouldn’t get any better than that and he was upset by their stance.
Talks stopped for months until Chelsea reached out in late December to reach a new agreement. There is a bit more positivity on both sides that something could still be finalised but Rudiger feels the hold-up so far has been caused by the club.
After being asked what it will take for him to stay, the centre half told The Athletic: “I feel great here, I have always said it. I think the way I play you can see that I’m happy here. But there are also other people who have to make decisions.”