Barcelona eyeing Chelsea trio Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger
According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t The Express), Catalan giants Barcelona are eyeing the Chelsea defensive trio of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger heading into the January transfer window.
Ronald Koeman’s side have enjoyed a rather underwhelming start to the current campaign. The post-Lionel Messi era has not kicked off well and they find themselves in the ninth spot in La Liga after seven games played.
Years of financial mismanagement has seen the club struggle to bring in players who can make a difference on the field. They were instead forced to do business in the Bosman market landing the likes of Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero.
With a number of players in the final year of their contracts, the Catalans look set to attempt a similar approach to next summer. Free agents in England are free to agree pre-contracts with foreign clubs from January 1 and Barcelona appear keen to raid Chelsea on that basis.
In Azpilicueta, Rudiger and Christensen the Catalans would be getting themselves three excellent players for nothing. Enough one could say to fix a defence that has been at sixes and sevens all season.
Rudiger has emerged as a key player for the club in the post-Frank Lampard era. He is however yet to pen fresh terms. Thomas Tuchel however is unperturbed and believes it is just a matter of time before the German pens an extension.
The rest to follow suit?
The same can be said of Azpilicueta, the club’s skipper. He has already admitted that a resolution could be found in the coming few weeks. Hopefully, that will happen sooner rather than later.
Of the three, it could be argued that it is Christiensen who is closest to penning fresh terms. Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed that the Danish defender is very close to signing on the dotted line.
More Chelsea News
- Newcastle United are targeting a deal for Chelsea transfer target and Juventus ace Federico Chiesa in January
- Antonio Rudiger is in no hurry to make a decision over his Chelsea future amidst contract speculation
- Transfer News: Newcastle United have been in contact with Timo Werner over a potential exit from Chelsea
Barcelona are a complete mess both on and off the field. There is little reason for any player to swap London for Barcelona at this point in time. As far as developments go, Chelsea fans have little to worry about from Joan Laporta and the Catalans.