Why Real Madrid Defender Chose to Turn Down PSG Last Summer Transfer Window

Over the past two summers, Paris Saint-Germain has been open to exploring the free agent market to help improve the team. Last year, Antonio Rüdiger was without a contract after his deal with Chelsea expired, so PSG came lurking.

Rüdiger confirmed that the capital club was a team that was interested in signing him last summer during an interview with Canal Plus (h/t Foot Mercato). However, the German defender explained why he opted to go to Real Madrid rather than join PSG.

“There were a lot of rumors,” Rüdiger told the French media outlet. “You know, as soon as there was some with PSG, you sent me a message. But like I said, that’s not what I was looking for. In the end, it has nothing to do with PSG. It’s a very big club. But next door, Real Madrid, Real Madrid.

“I realized I could go to Real Madrid after lifting the Champions League (with Chelsea in 2021). I knew I could go there. At that moment, I understood. You want to be on the winning side; you have to go to Real Madrid.”

It is no surprise that the 30-year-old was a player that the Ligue 1 side had their eyes on, as this 2022-23 season has shown that the central defense was a weakness with the injuries and lack of depth. 

Furthermore, the capital club did end up signing another central defender as a free agent in January. Milan Škriniar is scheduled to be a PSG play this summer once his contract with Inter Milan expires in June.

However, the 28-year-old is battling a back injury, so there’s some concern whether the French side might back out if the medical situation is indeed concerning. 

PSG will be in for another center-back if the Škriniar deal falls through, but with Sergio Ramos’s pending exit and injury to Presnel Kimpembe, sporting advisor Luis Campos might need a second defender this summer. 

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