Mateu Alemany's plan to close the signing of César Azpilicueta from Chelsea

Mateu Alemany's plan to close the signing of César Azpilicueta from Chelsea

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Barça's director of soccer will travel to London next week to try and strike a deal with Chelsea for their team's captain

With the signing of Jules Koundé now closed announced, FC Barcelona's sporting management is now focusing all their efforts on reinforcing the squad with fullbacks. Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff have drafted a strategy to sign César Azpilicueta. The final and definitive offensive to obtain the services of the defender from Navarre has already begun, with the deadline day drawing close.

As SPORT has learned, Mateu Alemany will travel next week to London to make a convincing proposal to Chelsea. It will not be easy with the blues still miffed over how the signing of two of their summer targets, Raphinha and Koundé, turned out. Relations with the new owner of the London club, Todd Boehly, hasn't got off on the right foot but FC Barcelona, however, are still optimistic.

Azpilicueta is a wildcard that Xavi values highly for his versatility. He can occupy any position in the defence. Joan Laporta has made it very clear, with words and with his signings so far, that he wants to support Xavi and help him with the revival of Barça.

Mateu's trip to the UK will also allow him to make progress in negotiations for Marcos Alonso, the primary alternative at left-back. Chelsea too will be able to push for the opportunity of signing Frenkie de Jong. For now, the case of the Dutch midfielder is stagnant, as the player does not want to move and Barça are working on a solution to keep him.

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