Antonio Rudiger looks almost certain to leave Chelsea at the end of the campaign amid the chaos which has enveloped the Premier League team.
Earlier on Thursday, the UK Government announced it had sanctioned Roman Abramovich amid his ties to Vladimir Putin which the London club owner has strongly denied.
The Blues have been placed under a special operating licence which prevents Abramovich from making the quickfire sale he desires, while they are not permitted to make any new signings, sell anyone or conduct any contract negotiations.
With nine first team squad members entering the final stages of their contracts, Chelsea have effectively been placed in window and one of their most high-profile players is unlikely to stay to see how the situation plays out.
Rudiger has emerged as a key part of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea team having been frozen out by his predecessor Frank Lampard.
Despite his importance, the former Roma defender has been frustrated by the lack of progress made in discussions over an extension and had been holding out for a salary offer around £250,000-a-week.
According to Sky Sports News, however, the German star is now minded to leave at the end of the campaign and will assess the offers he is likely to receive from Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester United.
Chelsea also appear destined to lose Andreas Christensen, another impending free agent to La Liga giants Barcelona.
Speaking about the Denmark international’s situation ahead of their game against Norwich City, Tuchel said: ‘There is no need to go now because he is right at the edge to finally take the next one, two, three steps at Chelsea.
‘That is why I strongly recommended him not to go before it is done. And it is clearly not done.
‘He now has a situation given the formation, given the partners at his side, given his status, given his age: this is his moment. And I cannot understand if he leaves exactly at this moment.
‘For Andreas we have unbelievably much to offer. It is the club where he came through the academy and I think he has a lot, also, to appreciate where he is right now. He profited a lot from the support, the structure. Now is the crucial moment to step up and be a huge player with this history.’
