Romano: Barcelona look to deal Chelsea another blow after Jules Kounde deal

Transfer News: Barcelona have reconfirmed to Cesar Azpilicueta their intention to sign him

According to popular Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Spanish giants Barcelona have reconfirmed to Cesar Azpilicueta their intention to sign him and bring him to Camp Nou this summer.

Romano claims that the operation has been put on the back burner with the Catalan club focussing on completing the deal for Jules Kounde as of now. As soon as that is done, they are expected to be back at Chelsea to sign their club captain.

Barcelona have been a serious thorn in Chelsea’s transfer plans this summer. At least three players who have been heavily linked with Chelsea including Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha and Jules Kounde have ended up or are set to end up at the Spanish club.

They have also signed Andreas Christensen from us on a free transfer this summer and the Danish international has already impressed playing for Barcelona in pre-season. Now, they are set to try and sign Cesar Azpilicueta from us and try to dent us even more.

Considering all that has happened, it is safe to assume that Chelsea might not be keen to sell to Barcelona after all, especially someone of Cesar Azpilicueta’s quality. Thomas Tuchel himself admitted a few weeks ago of being a little irritated with the Spanish club.

Azpilicueta’s desire to leave Stamford Bridge and go back to Spain comes as no surprise and the club captain has been keen on making this move happen for some time now. However, we might not be in a position to part ways with our captain yet.

Our defence has taken a huge hit this summer, and all that we have managed to do to reinforce it is sign Kalidou Koulibaly. As good a signing the Senegalese is, it surely is not enough and we need to find alternatives to sign for the central defence.

If Azpilicueta decides to stay, then it might be enough if we sign one more central defender but if the Spaniard is sold, then we will have to sign yet another player. Chopping and changing too much is not an ideal situation to be in and hence, the Blues could try to convince their captain.

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For all that he has done for us, Azpilicueta deserves to leave on his own terms. However, the Blues are in a situation where they need him more than ever and let’s hope the Spaniard understands that too.

Moreover, it would feel like a double blow if the Blues let this deal happen after Barca hijacked their deal for Sevilla’s French centre-back, Kounde.