Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is reportedly in advanced talks to join Barcelona on a Bosman deal next summer.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Barcelona have stepped up their efforts to sign Cesar Azpilicueta on a free transfer in next summer’s transfer window. The 32-year-old is in the final year of his contract with Chelsea and is considering a Bosman move to Barcelona.
Cesar Azpilicueta joined Chelsea from Marseille in August 2012 and has since established a lasting legacy at the club. The Spanish defender has won it all with the Blues and is widely regarded as one of the Blues’ best modern day players. And since the 2019/20 season, the experienced defender has been the west Londoners’ club captain, adding another feather to his cap at Stamford Bridge.
To date, Azpilicueta has made 444 appearances for Chelsea, chipping in with 14 goals and 56 assists in the process. However, if the first half of the 2021/22 season has given any indication, Azpilicueta is starting to get phased out at Chelsea, with Andreas Christensen and Trevoh Chalobah preferred in the back three and Reece James the firm first-choice right wing-back for the Blues.
With Azpilicueta’s contract winding down after the end of the season, the English giants are in a precarious position over his long-term future. However, it looks like the 32-year-old defender’s time at the club is reaching its end, with Barcelona likely to sign him on a Bosman move next summer.
The interest from Barcelona is understandable, considering Eric Garcia has not been at his best since joining on a free transfer from Manchester City last summer. So, Barcelona must sign a centre-back, as Gerard Pique is in the twilight of his career, and Samuel Umtiti is deemed surplus to requirements.
However, according to the report, the Catalan giants are primarily looking at Azpilicueta as a right-back option. While Barcelona recently re-signed Dani Alves, the Brazilian is only a short-term solution and cannot play week in week out.
To that end, Azpilicueta is an ideal option for Barcelona, especially with Sergino Dest reportedly facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou. According to the report, Azpilicueta is in advanced talks to join Barcelona, and a Bosman move appears to be on the cards for the Chelsea defender. So, it remains to be seen if the Spanish international ends his spell with Chelsea by leaving as a free agent next summer.
