TODD BOEHLY has reportedly asked Cesar Azpilicueta to remain at Chelsea as captain after BLOCKING a transfer to Barcelona.
Azpilicueta has been linked with a move to Barcelona for some time now.
But with a lack of defensive reinforcements this summer Boehly has prevented Azpilicueta from leaving Stamford Bridge.
Instead, he wants the veteran to stay at Chelsea as he does not want to lose “his experience and leadership.”
According to The Times however, Azpilicueta remains optimistic a deal can be struck between the two clubs.
It is understood the Spaniard has his heart set on a move to the Nou Camp.
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The versatile defender has completed a clean sweep of trophies at Chelsea, following on from The Blues’ victory in the Club World Cup earlier this year.
Azpilicueta has been at the club for a decade now, and has made 472 appearances in all competitions for them.
The 32-year-old’s contract at the club was due to expire in this summer, but an extension clause in his deal was triggered when he hit 35 games last season.
This gave Chelsea some much-needed breathing room around potential player losses at the start of the summer due to the club’s operations being limited as part of sanctions levelled at ex-owner Roman Abramovich.
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New owner Boehly has already brought in Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Carney Chukwuemeka as well as a host of youngsters.
But a number of high-profile targets have slipped through their grasp, most notably Jules Kounde and Raphinha who were ironically snapped up by Barcelona.
The Blaugrana also signed Andreas Christensen on a free transfer after he left Chelsea when his contract expired at the end of last season.
Chelsea have identified Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella as targets.
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However, the club’s £63m offer for Frenchman Fofana was rejected by Leicester.
Meanwhile, despite reports stating an agreement worth over £50m had been reached for Cucurella, Brighton issued a statement shortly after denying the claims.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
