Barcelona are looking for a new right-back following the departure of eight-year servant Dani Alves.
Cesar Azpilicueta is a rumoured transfer target for Barcelona
The Daily Telegraph are reporting that Barcelona are lining up Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta as a replacement for Dani Alves.
The newspaper claim that the La Liga side’s first target was actually Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, but the Gunners are set to offer the 20-year-old a new deal in an effort to ward off Barca.
The Telegraph claim that the Catalan giants are now working their way down a list of alternatives which the former Marseille man tops. Atletico Bilbao are also said to be keen on securing the signature of the 26-year-old Chelsea defender.
Azpilicueta has made 180 appearances for Chelsea since his £6.5 million move from Marseille in the summer of 2012. He quickly established himself as the Blue’s first choice left-back, despite being right-footed, and is just as comfortable playing on either side of the back-line.
Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta
The 2015/16 season was a poor one for the Spaniard, however, as he and the rest of his Chelsea side struggled to replicate the form that saw them lift the Premier League trophy the year before.
Azpilicueta would be the perfect replacement for Alves at the Camp Nou. A huge part of the Brazilian’s game was his ability to bomb forward and support Barca’s attacks at will. The Spaniard has demonstrated in his time in England how proficient he is at galloping forward and whipping dangerous crosses into the opposition’s penalty area.
Azpilicueta in action for the Blues
Much will depend on how highly incoming manager Antonio Conte rates Azpilicueta, and whether or not he has any defensive targets.
He is currently on duty with the Spain national team as they continue their preparations for Euro 2016.
Azpilicueta has 15 caps for Spain
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