Todd Boehly ‘BLOCKS Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s move to Barcelona’… with the owner telling the Spaniard the club ‘do not want to lose his experience and leadership’ after recent overhaul
- Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has blocked Cesar Azpilicueta’s move to Barcelona
- The Spanish giants have expressed serious interest in signing the defender
- Barca’s £3million offer for the Spaniard is lower than the Blues’ £10m valuation
- Boehly is keen for the Chelsea captain to remain at Stamford Bridge this season
Todd Boehly has blocked Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s transfer to Barcelona this summer, according to reports.
Barca have earmarked the Spanish defender as a key target, but the Blues’ valuation is proving to be a stumbling block in negotiations.
The Spanish giants are believed to be offering a fee of around £3million for Azpilicueta, while Chelsea are demanding a figure closer to £10million.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has blocked Cesar Azpilicueta’s summer move to Barcelona
Xavi has identified the Spanish international as a key defensive target this transfer window
Barcelona have already signed one defender from Thomas Tuchel’s side this summer, with Andreas Christensen making the switch to Catalonia on a free transfer after his deal at Stamford Bridge expired.
The two clubs have crossed wires multiple times this summer, as Barca beat the Blues to the signings of both Jules Kounde and Raphinha.
And the Catalan club have identified Azpilicueta as a potential target with Xavi intent on adding experience to his back-line.
The Blues’ co-owner Boehly (left) is keen for Azpilicueta to remain at Stamford Bridge this term
But The Times have reported that Chelsea’s new part-owner Boehly is keen to keep the Spanish defender in west London ahead of the upcoming season.
The 32-year-old’s contract at Stamford Bridge was due to expire in the summer but an automatic one-year extension was triggered in March when he had made 35 appearances last season.
Azpilicueta has been hugely influential for Tuchel’s side – making 476 appearances for the Blues since his arrival from Marseille in 2012.
Azpilicueta has made 476 appearances for the Blues since arriving from Marseille in 2012
And the German manager was…