Cesar Azpilicueta is set to be the subject of a renewed big Barcelona effort, according to Tuesday’s edition of Sport. The Catalan newspaper strongly believe that Antonio Rudiger signing for Chelsea gives Barcelona a great chance of getting Azpilicueta during the current transfer window.
The German international’s versatility in defence provides Chelsea with more cover for both the central and wide areas, and therefore gives a little Barcelona hope over Azpilicueta.
Rudiger’s arrival ‘can open the exit door’ for Azpi, and Barcelona intend to test the situation. Sport take their claims from Spain’s Cadena Cope and flesh them out a little, pointing out that Azpilicueta is a long term target of Barcelona.
It’s also pointed out that Athletic Club Bilbao wanted to sign Azpilicueta when Ernesto Valverde, now at Barcelona, was the manager. But with Azpilicueta being Basque, he’ll always be wanted in Bilbao, just ask Nacho Monreal.
Over at AS they think differently.
Azpilicueta hasn’t been considered a priority by Barcelona in recent times, so they didn’t even scout the Chelsea player last season. Any reports on the Spain international are old, from previous seasons, and he’s therefore not been high on the list as a Hector Bellerin alternative.
Given Antonio Conte’s desire for strength in depth all over the pitch, it’s unlikely he’d be keen to see Azpilicueta go… even with Rudiger now secured.
