Csar Azpilicueta It is the number one objective to reinforce the right side of the Barça team. The Chelsea captain has known about Barcelona’s interest for a long time and he would like to stop at the Camp Nou. However, as the months pass the situation is more complicated and at this moment it is not at all clear that the player ends up signing for Barcelona.
Activated clause
First of all, this is your contractual situation. The player’s contract ends in June, but the renewal clause automatic to continue in the English club has already been activated after Azpilicueta has played the number of games he had set. He is 32 and with 30 was running automatically. Therefore, at this time the Navarrese is no longer free to leave Stamford Bridge and Barcelona is not willing to pay a transfer for a 33-year-old footballer.
Talks with Chelsea
The way out is through diplomacy. Azpilicueta has already held a meeting with the English club to see his future. The footballer wants to play for Barcelona and for this he needs the club to release him from his contract after the renewal clause has been activated. But he doesn’t want to look bad with Chelsea either, team of which he is captain and in which he has been a decade. Azpilicueta wants a friendly solution and he is working on it with the club.
The Abramović factor
A new problem that has occurred is the freezing of the sale of Chelsea by Abramovich. This is an added problem to the situation because if the club cannot sign they will need all the players they have in the team. Can’t prevent others like Christensen that the contract ends leave, but those who have their commitment in force, as is the case of Azpilicueta.
It remains to be seen how this situation evolves and if Chelsea’s market movements are still frozen when the summer market opens. The problem that exists is that Barcelona can’t wait that long. The idea is to have most of the incorporations closed in the month of June and Azpilicueta is one of them.
Other options
There are other players who can come to Barcelona and strengthen that position, as is the case with Mazraoui. The Ajax winger is on the agenda although there are other clubs that are also interested in him. Mino Raiola plays their tricks and they are still in the process of deciding where to play. Barcelona is well placed, but it is not the only one.