Barcelona are concerned over their pursuit of Cesar Azpilicueta with the defender having triggered a one-year contract extension at Chelsea.
Barcelona had been interested in signing Azpilicueta as a free agent this summer as he approached the end of his contract at Stamford Bridge, with the 32-year-old’s experience and versatility appealing to the Spanish side’s rebuild.
However, Sport are reporting that the Catalans are now concerned over their pursuit of the full-back, who has triggered a one-year extension to his deal in west London.
Azpilicueta’s extension – activated after he featured in a certain number of games for Chelsea this season – does not necessarily mean the Spain international will remain at the club next season but complicates a potential transfer to the Camp Nou.
Azpilicueta has spent a decade with Chelsea and won every available major honour, with just six players having ever made more appearances for the Blues across all competitions.
He is understood to have been open to a return to Spain and move to join Barcelona this summer, though the two teams will now need to reach an agreement after the activation of his appearance-based extension.
