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Real Madrid has preliminary agreement to add Chelsea's Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea FC pressinphoto

Report: Real Madrid has preliminary agreement to add Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger

Chelsea center back Antonio Rüdiger is set to join Real Madrid of La Liga this summer after reaching a preliminary agreement for a free transfer, according to a report from ESPN's Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez.

The deal is reportedly expected to be a four-year contract.

Rüdiger, 29, is a member of the German National Team, but has spent the last five years in the English Premier League after joining Chelsea on a five-year deal in 2017. Prior to that, he spent two years with AS Roma of Serie A.

Chelsea have allowed the third fewest goals in the Premier League this season with Rüdiger manning the middle of the team's defense. A year ago, Chelsea allowed the second fewest goals and finished fourth on the table, despite scoring the eighth most goals.

Two weeks ago, Rüdiger scored against Real Madrid in a Champions League quarterfinal match to level the aggregate score, 3-3. 

Real Madrid eventually rallied to win and advanced to the semifinal where it'll face Manchester City. Real Madrid has a 15 point lead at the top of La Liga table and can secure the title Saturday with either a win or draw against Espanyol.

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