Barcelona target Cesar Azpilicueta signs new contract with Chelsea

Barcelona transfer target Cesar Azpilicueta has snubbed the interest from the Catalan giants and signed a new two-year contract at Chelsea.

According to The Athletic, Barcelona have been forced to end their interest in Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta as the versatile Spanish defender has signed a new contract with the Blues.

Azpilicueta has been with Chelsea since 2012, when he arrived from French club Marseille and has grown into one of the most reliable and dedicated performers for the club. The captain of Chelsea since Gary Cahill’s departure, the 32-year-old has won every possible trophy with the Blues and has etched his name in the club’s history books.

However, having entered the final year of his contract with Chelsea this summer, Azpilicueta looked likely to depart from Stamford Bridge. A move to Barcelona appeared to be on the horizon for the 32-year-old veteran. The Spaniard was believed to have reached a verbal agreement over personal terms with the Blaugrana already.

But, the move was delayed as Chelsea were reluctant to let Azpilicueta leave, as manager Thomas Tuchel and new owner Todd Boehly fought hard to keep him at the club. And they have been successful in their endeavours as the Chelsea club captain has snubbed Barcelona’s overtures to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge by two more years.

Upon confirmation of the contract extension, Azpilicueta told Chelsea’s official website, “I am really happy to extend my stay at Chelsea, my home. It is almost 10 years since I first arrived and joined the club so I really feel the love and I am really excited for the new project we have in our hands.”

“I would like to say thank you to Mr Todd and Mr Behdad for giving me the opportunity to keep my journey at this amazing club and I am really looking forward to continuing our adventure. I am a really proud captain and I hope we can share many good memories together.”

This development is a huge blow for Barcelona, who had earmarked Azpilicueta as their primary target to strengthen the right-back slot this summer. The Catalans have already lost Dani Alves and Oscar Mingueza this summer and are prepared to sell Sergino Dest as well. But with Azpilicueta’s signing no longer possible, Barcelona must look at other alternatives to strengthen the right-back slot.

Barcelona transfer target Cesar Azpilicueta has snubbed the interest from the Catalan giants and signed a new two-year contract at Chelsea.

According to The Athletic, Barcelona have been forced to end their interest in Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta as the versatile Spanish defender has signed a new contract with the Blues.

Azpilicueta has been with Chelsea since 2012, when he arrived from French club Marseille and has grown into one of the most reliable and dedicated performers for the club. The captain of Chelsea since Gary Cahill’s departure, the 32-year-old has won every possible trophy with the Blues and has etched his name in the club’s history books.

However, having entered the final year of his contract with Chelsea this summer, Azpilicueta looked likely to depart from Stamford Bridge. A move to Barcelona appeared to be on the horizon for the 32-year-old veteran. The Spaniard was believed to have reached a verbal agreement over personal terms with the Blaugrana already.

But, the move was delayed as Chelsea were reluctant to let Azpilicueta leave, as manager Thomas Tuchel and new owner Todd Boehly fought hard to keep him at the club. And they have been successful in their endeavours as the Chelsea club captain has snubbed Barcelona’s overtures to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge by two more years.

Upon confirmation of the contract extension, Azpilicueta told Chelsea’s official website, “I am really happy to extend my stay at Chelsea, my home. It is almost 10 years since I first arrived and joined the club so I really feel the love and I am really excited for the new project we have in our hands.”

“I would like to say thank you to Mr Todd and Mr Behdad for giving me the opportunity to keep my journey at this amazing club and I am really looking forward to continuing our adventure. I am a really proud captain and I hope we can share many good memories together.”

This development is a huge blow for Barcelona, who had earmarked Azpilicueta as their primary target to strengthen the right-back slot this summer. The Catalans have already lost Dani Alves and Oscar Mingueza this summer and are prepared to sell Sergino Dest as well. But with Azpilicueta’s signing no longer possible, Barcelona must look at other alternatives to strengthen the right-back slot.