Club have ‘practically closed’ deal to sign Chelsea player – Want to make transfer official ‘before July 7th’

Earlier this month, AS reported César Azpilicueta wants to leave Chelsea and Athletic Club Bilbao contemplate signing him in the summer window.

Athletic Club Bilbao will miss out on the 33-year-old as Atlético Madrid are set to be his next destination.

That’s according to today’s Mundo Deportivo, who say Atlético have ‘practically closed’ a deal for the Chelsea defender and also Celta Vigo’s Javi Galán.

Los Rojiblancos have to sort out minor contractual issues and the duo have to complete their medical tests to seal a move to the Metropolitano.

These are expected to be sorted out soon as the newspaper states Diego Simeone’s side will make Azpilicueta and Galán’s signings official ‘imminently’.

It’s claimed the Chelsea star has rejected approaches from AC Milan and Bayern Munich to join the Madrid club.

Mundo add the versatile defender will be an Atlético player, barring a ‘catastrophic change at the last minute’.

Atlético have also lined up deals for Çağlar Söyüncü and Santiago Mouriño.

Simeone and his men will start the pre-season training later this Friday. The report adds Atlético want to make the transfer of these four players [Azpilicueta, Galán, Söyüncü and Mouriño] official ‘before July 7th’.