Chelsea have since been hit with sanctions that have prevented the club from having fresh contract talks with players.

Antonio Rudiger has been a key player for Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel, but is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

Losing Rudiger will definitely be a disaster, and fresh terms can’t be reached until the sanction is lifted, which can only happen after the sale of Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Chelsea can still tie down Rudiger despite the sanctions.

CBS Sports‘ Ben Jacobs, have claimed that this sanction does not apply to contracts that were offered prior to the government’s actions.

That is, a deal can be agreed with Rudiger or any Chelsea player running out of contract, if Chelsea can convince them to take up their last offer.

Rudiger’s last offer was short of his desired £200k plus wages per week.