Cesar Azpilicueta will soon be a Barcelona player
The Chelsea defender had his contract extended by a year by the west London Blues but will depart
With the signing of Robert Lewandowski finally agreed Barcelona are turning to the defence. The first reinforcement in that position will be Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, a Spanish international and the captain of his club, a player who can play in various positions and at the end of August turns 33 years old. Barça are hoping to sign him for between 4 and 5 million euros.
Sport has learned that his arrival at Barcelona is now just a question of days away. For various weeks Azpi has made it clear to Chelsea's owners that he wants to leave the club after a decade at Stamford Bridge and start a new era in Spanish football, taking on the challenge of playing for Barça and Xavi.
Chelsea were reticent to let the player go but will agree to a move and the basis of a deal has been agreed between the clubs - Azpi has had a deal with Barcelona for some time.
With Chelsea and Barçelona in the US, the defender can leave the Blues’ training camp and join up with his new wife without having to leave the country and he can have his medical in the US.
However one of the conditions that Chelsea wanted to impose was being able to sign a replacement, with Jose Gvardiol of RB Leipzig the target. He will join the Blues in the days to come, allowing Azpilicueta to complete his switch.
