Atletico Madrid hopes to overcome Barcelona to capture Chelsea star. In the current transfer window, Atletico Madrid are said to be bidding for Chelsea defender and Barcelona target Cesar Azpilicueta.
Azpilicueta, who is coming towards the end of his current contract at Stamford Bridge, has been a key component of the west London club for almost a decade. Since joining the club in 2012 from Ligue 1 club Marseille, the 32-year-old has helped the team win nine titles, including the 2020-21 Champions League trophy.
Azpilicueta has made 476 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 17 goals and assisting on 56 instances.
Atletico Madrid are ready to fight with Barcelona for the signing of Azpilicueta this summer, according to Futbol Total (via Fichajes.net).
According to the report, the Blues would prefer to transfer the veteran to Diego Simeone’s side rather than Barcelona owing to their ongoing squabble over Jules Kounde’s signing. The two teams were in a heated battle to sign the Sevilla defender, but the Catalan club blocked Kounde from agreeing to terms with the Londoners.
Last season, the Frenchman made 44 appearances for the Liga side and helped his team retain the best defensive record in the division, conceded only 30 goals.
Azpilicueta is thought to want to finish his career in his native nation. According to the aforementioned rumor, Atleti’s interest in him stems from his profile, adaptability, and leadership.
Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed Barcelona’s limitations in negotiating a prospective deal during a pre-season news conference. He stated (as reported by The Guardian):
“It’s a difficult question because I’m not sure I want to give Azpi what he wants.” At some point, it comes down to what we desire. I made the contrast to how hard we pushed for Kalidou Koulibaly, a national team player of approximately the same age. I see [Azpilicueta] at a same level, but Barcelona does not.”
Chelsea is expected to sell Timo Werner for half of his purchase price.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Werner is fed up with Tuchel’s incessant criticism of his compatriot. With the World Cup approaching, he is looking for regular football.
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Former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie is keen to see whether the Blues can recuperate half of the £47.5 million transfer cost for striker Timo Werner. He stated to Football Insider:
“He has certainly missed more chances than he has scored.” They spent a lot of money for him. “I believe they’d be happy if they got half back since he’s missed so many chances.”
McAvennie went on:
“If he gets a move, he’ll go to another club and become a celebrity again.” I don’t think anything he’s doing now at Chelsea will matter, even if he begins scoring goals, because I don’t think the supporters like him.”
Following the addition of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City for a fee of £55 million, Werner may be demoted to the bench at Chelsea next season.
