Barcelona Agree Two-Year Deal With Chelsea Captain Azpilicueta

LaLiga giants Barcelona have reportedly agreed to a two-year contract worth £11million a season with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

Azpilicueta came close to departing Chelsea on a free transfer last summer before signing a new one-year extension, but could now leave the London club after a decade at the club.

The Spanish defender looks set to follow fellow Chelsea defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andres Christensen out of the exit door this summer – leaving boss Thomas Tuchel with the tough task of rebuilding his defence.

And according to AS, the 32-year-old has agreed to a two-year contract with a fixed salary of £11m (13m euros) for each campaign.

The contract includes the possibility of a one-year contract extension at the Catalan giants.

Chelsea has, however, confirmed that terms have been agreed for Todd Boehly to complete his £4.25billion takeover of the club.

Boehly’s consortium was named as the preferred bidder to take over Stamford Bridge by the Raine Group, the American bank that is overseeing the sale. He has partnered with fellow Dodgers owner Mark Walter, and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss as well as investment firm Clearlake Capital.

Boehly saw off competition from consortiums fronted by Stephen Pagliuca and Sir Martin Broughton and even a late £4.25bn bid from Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Azpilicueta was waiting for this decision to sit down with the club and undertake his dismissal, after Chelsea were forced to activate the unilateral option to extend the contract that ended in June.

During his time at Chelsea, Azpilicueta won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel wasn’t concerned about the future of Azpilicueta earlier in the month.

“I don’t see any problem here,” Tuchel told the official Chelsea website regarding his contract situation.

“The situation between Azpi, me, and the club is very clear. He is our captain. He has all possibilities to stay here as long as possible and become the legend he already is. He is a fantastic captain and a fantastic player.”