Chelsea star Cesar Azpilicueta ‘reaches free transfer agreement with Barcelona in summer’ after 10 years at club

CHELSEA captain Cesar Azpilicueta has reportedly struck a deal to join Barcelona on a free transfer this summer.

Football Insider claims the versatile defender, 32, has snubbed several offers from the Blues to extend his deal past the end of this season.

And Azpilicueta has now reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to swap Stamford Bridge for the Nou Camp in July.

The Spain international has been at Chelsea for ten years, winning numerous trophies including two titles and last year’s Champions League.

But the opportunity to see out his final years back home with another top European side has been too good to turn down.

Azpilicueta is just one of three key players set to leave Chelsea this summer following sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich.

Danish centre-back Andreas Christensen is thought to have also struck a free transfer to Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger has reportedly agreed to join Juventus on a mega four-year contract.

With three star defenders all set to leave, Chelsea will be light on options at the back unless a new owner gives sufficient financial backing for a summer rebuild.

As it stands, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr will be the only three senior centre-backs left at the club.

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Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is thought to be high on Thomas Tuchel’s list – should the German stay put.

And Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt is another option, with the Dutchman ironically set to be ousted from Turin by Rudiger’s arrival.