Cesar Azpilicueta has been linked strongly with Barcelona in recent days, with claims building up before that.
The stance has been that Xavi Hernandez would appreciate the 32-year-old’s experience, and also value his versatility to be able to play several defensive positions.
There’s been talk of contact being made and the Spaniard being keen on swapping Stamford Bridge for the Camp Nou in the summer window. Barcelona are thought to be his first choice should he leave Chelsea, and it was reported earlier this week that Azpilicueta was seeking a meeting with Marina Granovskaia so he could sort his future out.
Marca now report there’s a pretty big spanner in the works for Barcelona’s hopes of signing the player on a free transfer in the summer.
They explain that despite the defender’s contract expiring at the end of June, Chelsea have a clause and therefore ‘have the right’ to extend Azpilicueta’s deal by a further two years, taking him to the age of 34.
According to Marca, if it were just down to the player and Barcelona, ‘an agreement could already be signed’ because they’re keen to work together, however, it appears Chelsea will have the final say.
