Fabrizio Romano: Barcelona are keen to sign Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta as a free agent in June
As per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Chelsea are still waiting for a commitment from their captain Cesar Azpilicueta, as Barcelona looks to sign the Spain international as a free agent in June. The Spaniard is in the last six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge and could be on his way out at the end of the season.
The skipper has been a fan favourite ever since he arrived from Marseille in 2012. The senior star has been one of the Blues’ most consistent performers and has contributed to several trophy wins during his time at the Bridge. A leader who inspires from the front, the 32-year-old continues to impress despite his advanced age.
With the Spanish heavyweights in a dire financial situation, they hope to sign the Chelsea skipper for free in the summer. Xavi Hernandez and co appear keen to add a reliable and experienced defender to their squad without having to splurge the cash in the summer.
Azpilicueta has been a rock for coach Thomas Tuchel this season, as the Chelsea boss deals with absentees at the back due to multiple injuries and a Covid outbreak. The defender’s versatility has often come to the German’s rescue. The 32-year-old has served as a centre-back, full-back, or wing-back when required.
Barcelona could be set for a double swoop in London, with the Catalan giants also interested in defender Andreas Christensen. The Danish star, like Azpilicueta, is out of contract in the summer and is yet to commit his future to Chelsea.
A return home?
Romano confirmed that talks between Barca and Azpilicueta are ongoing with a contract until 2024 proposed as a potential option to lure the Spaniard back to his native country. Chelsea will be waiting nervously till June to see what their skipper decides to do.
A face of familiarity and consistency for Chelsea fans, it would be heartbreaking to lose our reliable captain this summer following a decade of loyal and reliable service. Azpilicueta most recently led the side out to the UEFA Champions League last season.
With a few more months to go till the end of his contract, we can hope that the club can convince him to stay beyond the summer and lead us to a few more triumphs before he calls it quits in west London. With the arrival of Tuchel, our side has turned more formidable, and Azpilicueta could very well add to his trophy tally should he stay put.
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From the player’s perspective, he has won almost everything available to him during his time in England and could be seeking a new challenge elsewhere. A return to his native Spain is something that the player might not turn down, and he could be tempted to try his hand at the Nou Camp.
In what could be his last season as a Chelsea player, Azpilicueta would be leaving West London as a club legend. We can only hope that he leads us to a few more trophies this season before his potential departure. With Chelsea still active in the Carabao Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the FA Cup, it could very well prove to be the case.