Chelsea: Carlo Ancelotti jokes he doesn’t know who Antonio Rudiger is

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to give any more news on Antonio Rudiger‘s expected move to the club at the end of the season.

Sportsmail revealed this week that the Chelsea defender is set to join the LaLiga giants on a four-year deal this summer.

But Ancelotti pleaded ignorance when quizzed about Rudiger’s possible transfer by joking in a beIN Sports interview: ‘Who is this?’

Carlo Ancelotti (R) refused to give update on Antonio Rudiger’s (L) expected Real Madrid move

The Italian then refused to be drawn any further on the matter, adding: ‘He’s a Chelsea player, he’s still a Chelsea player. I cannot say nothing about this.’

Rudiger is edging closer to leaving Stamford Bridge for Spain with a deal agreed in principle after extensive negotiations.

The Germany international is set to put pen to paper on a four-year contract and earn more than the £230,000-per-week deal Chelsea were prepared to pay him to stay.

Rudiger has been one of the Blues’ most important players but is set to leave for nothing

Rudiger rejected approaches from elsewhere in Europe to sign for Real, who were the defender’s No 1 option since talks began in January.

Manchester United, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus were all interested, but Real have been long-term admirers.

Sportsmail revealed in February that Rudiger was set to depart the Blues after turning down a new deal at Chelsea.

Ancelotti was speaking after seeing his Real side fall to a 4-3 defeat by Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Etihad in what was a pulsating clash, with the return leg at the Bernabeu next Wednesday.

Ancelotti was speaking after seeing his Real side fall to a 4-3 defeat by Manchester City