Chelsea tipped to accept £10m Cesar Azpilicueta bid after journalist’s update – pundit
Alan Hutton suspects Chelsea will be willing to accept £10million for Cesar Azpilicueta this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Tottenham and Aston Villa right-back suggested Chelsea won’t want to hold Azpilicueta “to ransom” if he wants a new challenge.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano (27 July), Barcelona have confirmed their intention to negotiate with the Blues for the 32-year-old.
Whilst there has been no agreement between the clubs Barcelona will continue to push.
The right-back is entering the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Hutton claimed it is unlikely Azpilicueta will be first choice next season.
“I think he’s just going to be a cover player even though he was the Chelsea captain,” he told Football Insider.
“You’ve got the likes of Reece James who are going to be trying to play week in week out. Whether he can stay injury free is a different question so he [Azpilicueta] might be needed.
“Azpilicueta’s not getting any younger but he’s still got a lot of football in his legs.
“Barcelona, for a team that hasn’t got a lot of money, have spent a lot of money. Who knows how they’re working their finances.
“If they [Chelsea] could get £10m surely that’s got to be acceptable.
“He’s been a great servant to Chelsea football club and if he’s looking for that next challenge they won’t want to hold him to ransom I wouldn’t have thought.“
In other news, a pundit has backed Chelsea to sign ‘different level’ Antonio Rudiger replacement after journalist’s update.