Chelsea’s new owners are in London to discuss the future of Cesar Azpilicueta, with Barcelona continuing to chase his signature.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who say there are ‘decisive hours’ ahead to determine the defender’s future at Stamford Bridge.
They report that the new Blues owners are keen to find a solution for the defender before Saturday to avoid him travelling to the USA for their pre-season tour.
The ‘next few hours’ could be decisive in that regard, with Azpilicueta and Barcelona keen to reach an ‘agreement in principle’ before Saturday and thus close his move to the Nou Camp ‘as soon as possible’.
He wants to join Barcelona after ten years at Chelsea but does not want to leave Stamford Bridge under a cloud.
It is because of that that he has been ‘very cautious’ over the last few weeks.
His contract expired in the summer, but after playing 30 games last season was automatically renewed, and so he has to negotiate his departure from London.
Barcelona assume that they will have to pay a fee but believe it will be a small one as the defender is 32 and his contract expires next summer.
Chelsea’s new owners now need to make a decision before Saturday, but there is a confidence that something can be worked out.
In fact, there is a belief there will be news in the ‘next few hours’ to prevent Azpilicuea travelling to the USA.
