Barcelona Turn Attention On Azpilicueta

Barcelona are eyeing a move for Cesar Azpilicueta after dropping their interest in Hector Bellerin, it has been claimed.

Bellerin, 22, was being linked with a return to the Nou Camp. He began his career there before joining Arsenal as a teenager in 2011.

The right-back even talked up a move back to Catalonia in a recent interview.

According to The Mirror, Barcelona were willing to pay £30m to do a deal. But the Gunners are said to have told Bellerin he’s going nowhere and reportedly issued a formal warning to Nou Camp chiefs over their pursuit of the defender.

And The Mirror claim that has prompted Barcelona to turn their
attention to Azpilicueta.

The 27-year-old impressed as Chelsea romped to the Premier
League title under Antonio Conte last season.

He thrived in the Italian’s new system, slotting in at centre-back alongside David Luiz and Gary Cahill. There are still three years left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge after he penned fresh terms in December.