Cesar Azpilicueta, a Chelsea defender, is said to be a target for Barcelona.
The Spaniard's current Blues contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the season. Unless he signs a contract extension with Chelsea before the end of the 2021-22 season, Azpilicueta will be a free agent next summer.
Barcelona are reportedly keen to recruit Cesar Azpilicueta on a free transfer next summer, according to El Nacional. The Catalan giants are on the lookout for a replacement for Gerard Pique, who is getting on in years. The 34-year-old is nearing the end of his career and has struggled to consistently deliver for the Spanish giants in recent years.
When former Manchester City defender Eric Garcia joined Barcelona last summer, he was expected to be Pique's long-term replacement. Garcia, on the other hand, has had a slow start to the 2021-22 season. Barcelona is also ready for the possibility of Samuel Umtiti leaving the club. The former Lyon defender has apparently been judged surplus to needs by new manager Xavi Hernandez after falling down the pecking order at the club.
Umtiti is yet to play for the Catalan club this season and has been linked with a January transfer away from the Camp Nou.
Cesar Azpilicueta moved to Chelsea from Marseille in a £7 million deal in the summer of 2012. During his time with the Blues, Azpilicueta has developed into one of the top defenders in the Premier League. At Stamford Bridge, he is well on his way to becoming a club icon.
Azpilicueta has appeared in almost 440 games for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and assisting on 56 occasions. In addition, he has assisted Chelsea in winning two Premier League crowns, three FA Cups, and an EFL Cup on a domestic level. During his nine-and-a-half years with Chelsea, Azpilicueta won a Champions League trophy and two Europa League trophies on the continental scene.
Barcelona's severe financial predicament has prompted the club to turn to free agents and loan deals for fresh acquisitions, despite the fact that the Spaniard is not getting any younger at 32. Azpilicueta's contract situation at Chelsea will be monitored by the Catalans, who aim to recruit him on a free transfer next summer.
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