Barcelona's pursuit of Azpilicueta ends with Chelsea contract extension
Cameron Smith
- 4 Aug 2022 19:38 BST
- 4 min read
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta extended his contract at the club until 2024, ending rumours of a move to Barcelona.
The Spain international's current deal was set to expire this summer, but after activating an appearances based clause in the contract, it was automatically extended until next year.
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However, Azpilicueta has now accepted a one-year extension to his deal, meaning he will remain a Chelsea player until the summer of 2024.
The news ends Barcelona's pursuit of the player, with Xavi previously keen to add Azpilicueta to his new-look backline that includes Andreas Christensen, signed on a free transfer from Chelsea, and Jules Kounde, who has been picked up from Sevilla.
But, despite previous reports suggesting that Azpilicueta had made it clear that he wished to leave Chelsea in order to join Barcelona this summer, the player has decided to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona had previously viewed him as the short-term answer to their right-back problem, with head coach Xavi not convinced by Sergino Dest, and Dani Alves' six-month deal not being renewed.
Young defender Ronald Aurajo can fill in at right-back, although it's not his regular position, while new signing Kounde has featured in the role for both Sevilla and the French national team.
Despite Barcelona expressing a clear interest in Azpilicueta, an agreement between the two clubs never came to fruition, and he will remain a Chelsea player.
Azpilicueta joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2012, and has been the club's captain since Gary Cahill departed in 2019.
What has been said?
In Chelsea's official press release, Todd Boehly said: "We are so happy that Cesar is staying at Chelsea for a minimum of two more years. We are thrilled with our captain showing his exemplary commitment and leadership yet again. There is still so much to do together.’
Co-controlling owners of Cheslea, Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, added: "Cesar is a world-class leader on and off the pitch. He’s a Chelsea legend and exemplifies so many of the qualities and values as a player and a person we aspire to.
"We couldn’t be more excited for Cesar to be at Chelsea under our ownership as we continue to work to build a champion squad."
Azpilicueta himself admitted: "I am really happy to extend my stay at Chelsea, my home. It is almost 10 years since I first arrived and joined the club so I really feel the love and I am really excited for the new project we have in our hands.
"I would like to say thank you to Mr Todd and Mr Behdad for giving me the opportunity to keep my journey at this amazing club and I am really looking forward to continuing our adventure. I am a really proud captain and I hope we can share many good memories together."
Chelsea's summer business
Following the exits of Antonio Rudiger and the aforementioned Christensen, Chelsea have signed Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly to add quality at the back.
Leicester City's Wesley Fofana and Brighton & Hove Albion's Marc Cucurella are the latest players to appear on Chelsea's radar, with talks ongoing with both.
The Blues have also signed Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire, and Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa. Slonina has been loaned back to Chicago Fire until 2023.
