Chelsea Defender's Free Transfer Move To Barcelona Is 'Done': Report

FC Barcelona have reportedly secured a free transfer for Chelsea’s star defender Cesar Azpilicueta.

Azpi’s move to Barcelona as a free agent is "done" as the Catalans have offered Chelsea skipper a two-year contract, according to Spanish media outlet El Chiringuito TV.

However, International Business Times, could not verify it independently.

Azpi’s current Chelsea contract is due to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season. He is expected to not sign an extension because the Blues are only willing to offer him a one-year extension with the option for a further season because of the Spain international's age, according to Goal.

The report has also claimed that Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez wants to strengthen his defence ahead of the next season and has made Chelsea captain Azpi his top target.

Considering Barcelona are undergoing a financial crisis, securing a player of Azpi’s level on a free transfer would be a great deal for the Camp Nou side.

Back in December, when Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was asked about Azpi's future, the German boss said he was not concerned about a potential departure.

"I don’t see any problem here. 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," Tuchel said in an interview.

In the summer of 2012, Azpi moved from Ligue 1 club Marseille to Chelsea and since then, he has been one of the favorites at Stamford Bridge. Having made over 400 competitive appearances for the Blues across his nine and a half years at the club, Azpi has helped Chelsea win several trophies, including two Premier League titles and last year’s Champions League.

In addition, Barcelona are also interested in signing Azpi’s Chelsea Andreas Christensen, another Blues defender who is out of contract this summer.

Apart from Azpi and Christensen, Antonio Rudiger is also going to be without a contract in the 2022 summer and has decided not to sign a new deal with Chelsea. The Frenchman, however, is heavily linked with a move to Barcelona’s El Classico rival Real Madrid.