Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on a deal for Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta ahead of the summer.
According to Fichajes, Azpilicueta is being considered by the Catalan giants, who are hoping to acquire the 32-year-old defender at a discounted price during the summer transfer window.
Azpilicueta’s contract with the Blues are set to expire next year, and it is unlikely that he will sign an extension with the West Londoners. He has been an essential player for the Premier League club since joining them and could prove to be a valuable addition for the Blaugrana in the coming seasons.
The La Liga giants needs to enhance the quality and depth of their backline, and Azpilicueta would be a suitable option at a reasonable price. The opportunity to return to his home country could be an appealing prospect for the Spaniard.
Whether the defender will join Barca next season is yet to be seen. He is capable of playing as both a right-back and a centre-back, making his versatility an added advantage for the club.
In addition, Barcelona could benefit from Azpilicueta’s winning experience and leadership qualities. He has been the captain of Chelsea for several seasons and his skills could prove to be invaluable for the Barcelona dressing room in the upcoming season.
Azpilicueta still capable of playing at a high level and will undoubtedly contribute to Barcelona both on and off the pitch. In addition to his defensive abilities, he could also serve as a great mentor for talented young defenders such as Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo.
