Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta remains on Barcelona’s radar after rejecting the Blues first offer to extend his contract.
That’s according to Sport, who say the Spaniard is seen as the ‘solution’ for Barcelona’s ongoing issues at right-back.
The newspaper explains that Azpilicueta is one of the names that is being ‘strongly mentioned’ by Barcelona’s management as they look to reinforce the team for next season.
The defender’s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of this season, and he has already ‘rejected the first renewal offer’.
That leaves him free to negotiate with European clubs come January 1st, and Barcelona are one of the sides who want to make their move.
Azpilicueta’s ‘malleability’ as a full-back and centre-back mean he has been an important player under Thomas Tuchel so far, but he has ‘fallen into oblivion’ over the last month after his ‘refusal to sign a renewal’.
That’s pushed him closer to an exit, and his name is ‘on the top of the agenda’ for Barcelona, who want to add competition for Dani Alves.
New manager Xavi is not convinced by either Sergiño Dest, Mingueza or Sergi Roberto, and so Azpilicueta is a name that interests him.
He is considered a ‘versatile player’ who has ‘experience’ and is ‘knowledgeable of the competition’. He would also arrive as a free agent in the summer, another major plus point.
There are no hints that talks have taken place yet, but that seems to be a formality at this point, with Azpilicueta’s decision to reject Chelsea seemingly giving Barcelona optimism of getting him.
