Chelsea are looking at RB Leipzig’s Joško Gvardiol as a potential target to replace César Azpilicueta.
Barcelona are keen to sign the 32-year-old and he is also open to making a switch to the Camp Nou this summer.
Sport on Monday state the Spaniard’s move to the La Liga side will be done in a matter of days and will be accelerated once Chelsea sign his replacement.
The Blues want a player who can be used across multiple positions in defence and this is where the Croatia international comes into the picture as he can be used in the middle of the back four or as a left-back.
It’s claimed the time needed for Barca to sign Azpilicueta will depend on Gvardiol’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The west London club are reluctant to let their captain leave as they consider him to be key to their plans, both on and off the pitch. The ex-Marseille man has decided to leave after receiving numerous calls from Xavi Hernández in the past few months. He has also held talks with the club’s new owner, Todd Boehly, on this topic.
Chelsea understand Azpilicueta’s desire to join Barcelona and will let him leave once they bring in a replacement.
The English club have identified Gvardiol as the ‘number one candidate’. Sport add that taking the Croatian’s versatility and age [20-year-old] into account, he can be the ‘ideal signing’ for Chelsea.
Gvardiol is valued at €35m, but Sport state Thomas Tuchel’s side hope to take him away from Leipzig for ‘less money’.
It’s worth noting Azpilicueta has been mainly used on the right side of the defence and in the centre-back position. Gvardiol, on the other hand, has never been deployed as a right-back or right wing-back at Leipzig.
