Transfer news: Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is under pressure from Barcelona to hand in a transfer request
According to a report in The Sun, Barcelona have put pressure on Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta to hand in a transfer request, if he wants to secure a move to the Nou Camp.
The London club extended the veteran’s contract for one more year, due to a clause in his previous contract. And now, Barcelona have grown frustrated with the lack of progress involving his exit from Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona are keen to rebuild their squad amidst the economic turmoil that the club is going through. They want Azpilicueta to replace veteran club legend Dani Alves who has been allowed to move on. But now, they have threatened to find ‘other solutions’, if the 32-year-old is unable to come to a solution with Chelsea.
The Chelsea captain will sit down with manager Thomas Tuchel in the coming days to try and find a cooperative and peaceful solution. Hopefully, it will end with us coming out on top.
Azpilicueta joined The Blues in 2012 from Marseille and has gone on to win every available competition with the London outfit. A legend at the club, he is a crowd favourite among the Blues. But it seems his image could be tainted should he force a move away from London.
Watch coming to an end?
Thomas Tuchel wants to keep the Spaniard at the club and his versatility is a huge boon for the German’s tactics. Given the defensive exodus at Chelsea, it is understandable why Tuchel wants him to stay. The German tactician is left with only Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr at the back.
With Jules Kounde still being pursued by Chelsea, this could serve to be another problem at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are yet to make a signing under the new ownership and are also struggling to hold on to players. Even though there are reports that Tuchel has been given a transfer war chest, he is yet to make use of it.
Everyone at the club will be hoping to come to an acceptable solution regarding this problem. When a new era ushers in, it brings with it some changes and looks like this one will bring one which will be hard to swallow.
More Chelsea News:
- Chelsea confident of signing Jules Kounde transfer amid Barcelona links
- Chelsea shirt sponsor Three resume suspended partnership under Todd Boehly-ownership
- Transfer News: Chelsea and Inter Milan continue to plot Romelu Lukaku exit plan
Although it remains to be seen what happens, Chelsea fans will be hoping that they can see their old guard leading the team out of the tunnel for one more season.