FC Barcelona are now confident about signing Cesar Azpilicueta in the summer. The Chelsea captain’s contract expires at the end of the season, and he is yet to renew his contract with the Blues.
The Blaugrana are now confident about his arrival since they have made a solid proposal for him to join. The offer made is for a two-year deal until June 2024, which matches his demands. On the other hand, Chelsea are only willing to offer him a one-year contract with the option for another year.
The Spaniard has been with the Blues for a decade and is the first player in their history to win every single trophy available. After the Champions League trophy last summer, he completed the set by winning the Club World Cup. Across a 10-year Chelsea career, Azpilicueta has made an incredible 460 appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals and assisting 56. His nearly 40,000 minutes for the Blues has established the Spaniard as an all-time great at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel would ideally like to see the Spain international stay at Stamford Bridge beyond his current deal. However, the club are reluctant to offer better terms than a one-year contract. Azpilicueta would be open to staying at Chelsea, but only if the Blues match his contract offered by Barcelona.
This week, reports were coming from England that the officials from Barcelona were in England to discuss the transfer move for two Chelsea players: Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen.
Reports say the Spanish giants are so keen to sign the duo that they have already sent representatives over to London to get the deals done.
Reports suggest that they have already convinced Azpilicueta, 32, to make the switch when his contract expires in June. He will be offered a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further season.
Xavi is said to be a big fan of the Chelsea captain and is eager to get the deal over the line.
A youth product of Osasuna, Azpilicueta spent three seasons in La Liga before switching to Marseille, winning four major honours with the French club. In 2012, he moved to Chelsea, winning the Europa League in his first season and a domestic double two years later.
He has made over 450 appearances for Chelsea and is currently seventh on their all-time appearances list. Petr Cech is the only non-English person to have played more times for the club. He captained Chelsea to win the Europa League in 2019, the Champions League in 2021 and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2021.