Barcelona and Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta have reportedly reached an agreement in principle over a Bosman move in the summer.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Cesar Azpilicueta has inched closer to joining Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The Chelsea captain has reached an agreement in principle to join Barcelona on a Bosman move, with only minor details left to be ironed out.
Cesar Azpilicueta joined Chelsea from Marseille in August 2012. And as he approaches the end of his tenth season with the Blues, the Spaniard has established a lasting legacy at the club. The 32-year-old has been a dependable customer at the back for the west Londoners, reprising several roles with utmost ease in the past decade.
To date, the experienced defender has made 450 appearances for Chelsea, chipping in with 14 goals and 56 assists in the process. However, Azpilicueta could leave Chelsea as a free agent next summer as he is in the final year of his contract with the club, with a renewal no closer to being confirmed. Such a situation has alerted Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona is understandable, considering Dani Alves will only be a short-term solution due to his advancing years. In addition, with Sergino Dest failing to impress Xavi Hernandez in the last few weeks, Barcelona will likely be selling the USMNT international at the earliest opportunity.
As a result, it behoves Barcelona to sign a right-back, making Azpilicueta a viable target. The Chelsea captain’s ability to play as a left-back equally adeptly, coupled with his impending status as a free agent, further make him an appealing target, keeping in mind Jordi Alba’s inconsistent displays in the last few years.
Now, the Catalan giants have inched closer to signing Azpilicueta, having reached an agreement in principle to secure his services on a free transfer. Such a development comes directly contrasts claims from recent reports, which had suggested that Azpilicueta was keen on extending his stay at Chelsea.
However, it now looks like Azpilicueta is set to leave Chelsea as a free agent next summer, with only minor details left to be ironed out for absolute agreement to be completed. It remains to be seen if Chelsea can convince the 32-year-old to stay put at the club or if he indeed joins Barcelona on a Bosman move.
