Xavi and Barcelona are set to look at Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta as their first-choice signing this summer; however, they believe he is priced too high at PS 8m. With Chelsea’s defence crisis still an issue, it seems that Barcelona would need to pay Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta his total asking price if Barcelona is to get him this summer. Barcelona is pressuring Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta to submit his transfer request if they are to force him to make a move to Nou Camp, according to a report from The Sun. According to The Evening Standard, Cesar Azpilicueta has already agreed on a two-year contract with Barcelona and will receive a substantial pay increase at Camp Nou.
The 21-year-old Barcelona right-back out since March due to a hamstring injury has been identified as a potential replacement by Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel, amidst Blaugrana’s interest in signing Cesar Azpilicueta on a free transfer. Barcelona is eager to bring Azpilicueta, but Chelsea has currently got an option on whether to extend his stay for another season. While it remains to be seen how this pans out, Chelsea fans will hope that they get to watch their old guard take Chelsea through the tunnels one more season. Chelsea has not made any official signings under their new ownership while also struggling to retain players. Barcelona is also looking at Marcos Alonso, with Barcelona continuing to look for a future Jordi Alba replacement. This could lead to both Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta heading to Camp Nou.
Azpilicueta was also in the penultimate year of his contract at Chelsea, but an additional one-year extension was activated in March after he scored 35 appearances last season. If he chooses Barcelona, he will make £11 million yearly before taxes. Azpilicueta is interested in returning to his native Spain and is connected to Barcelona manager Xavi. In contrast to Christensen, Barcelona has acquired midfielder Franck Kessie, formerly on loan at AC Milan. Azpilicueta joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2012 and has made 476 appearances.
The acquisition of Azpilicueta has become one of three main boxes for the Blaugrana to tick in the coming weeks. The other two are the signing of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich and the extension of Ousmane Dembele’s contract. Thomas Tuchel hesitates to give up Azpilicueta after allowing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to go for nothing to join Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, with discussions to recruit Manchester City defender Nathan Ake progressing, Azpilicueta should be able to join the duo in La Liga.