However, the Cules made the best of the winter transfer window – even during tough times for the club amid its worst financial crisis in years. With Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Barca lookstrongerthan a few months ago.

But that’s just the beginning for Xavi asnew faces are expected to arrive at Camp Nou next summer.The Cules have reportedly kept tabs on Cesar Azpilicueta, who wouldbecome a free agent in July unless Chelsea triggera clause in his contract.

The clause in Cesar Azpilicueta’s Chelsea contract that could prevent a Barcelona move

The veteran defender has been heavily linked with a free transfer to Barcelona at the end of the season, when his current deal with Chelsea expires. However, it seems that The Blues could keeptheir captain for longer.

According to Marca, there’s a clause in Azpilicueta’s contract that would allow Chelsea torenew his deal for two more years without needing the player’s approval. That would finish Barcelona’s hopes of landing him for nothing.

Azpilicueta, 32, has apparently become an interesting target for Barca for his ability to perform both atcenter-back or at right-back, whether it is in a three-man or four-man defense. It was even reported that he and the LaLiga giantshad an agreement in principle, but his future might be in Chelsea’s hands.

The damage was done and Xavi couldn’t prevent the Cules from dropping to the UEFA Europa League following a dismalstart to the UEFA Champions League. However, he is slowly getting his club back on track.

While the future of several players seems to be hanging by a thread, the Catalans face a challenging outlook when it comes to make signings. That’s why they target low-cost options, such as future free agents.

Report: Barcelona reach agreement in principle with Chelsea veteran to join Xavi’s side next summer

The Ferran Torres acquisition from Manchester City will probably be an exception at Camp Nou for a long time. The club is still suffering the impact of its financial crisis.So, from now on, Barca mayhave to use the little money they got wisely.

Out-of-contract players, therefore, became a great alternative for them at the time of attempting new signings. Xavi has reportedly identified Chelsea veteran Cesar Azpilicueta as an interesting target and it looks like negotiations have advanced fast.

According to Gerard Romero, Barcelona and Azpilicueta have already reached an agreement in principle. The journalist, however, noted that the Spanish defender has yet to resolve some personal matters.

Captain of Chelsea and winner of the 2020-21UEFA Champions League, Azpilicueta emerged as an attractive option for Barcelona not only because he’s heading into the final six months of his contract but also due to the fact that he can offer Xavi the possibility of playing with four or three at the back.

According to The Guardian, Azpilicueta will have options come the offseason and a Spanish giant is waiting to make Barcelona’s life a bit more difficult. Atlético Madrid is said to be the team that is willing to make Azpilicueta an offer by January 1st, when the Spanish defender can sign a pre contract.

Azpilicueta has featured in 8 games this season for Chelsea and is still very much in his prime. Here are more details about Azpilicueta’s chances of signing with Atlético Madrid.

César Azpilicueta a Atlético Madrid target

César Azpilicueta willbe 33 come next season and would be a low-cost signing. Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone is said to be a fan of Azpilicueta and that could push the signing to the finish line. Chelsea is rumored to be looking to get younger at the back especially if they lose Antonio Rüdiger on a free transfer in the summer.

During his time at Chelsea César Azpilicueta won 7 titles at the club playing in over 400 games. Azpilicueta still plays for the Spanish national team where he has 36 caps.

Barca hiredanother club icon in Xavi Hernandez, someone who has a brighter future inhis managerial career. But the challenge won’t be easy. Not only Los Cules find themselvesin a tough spot in La Liga and suffered a weak start to the Champions League, but they are still haunted by a financial crisis.

The tight budget has already prevented them from making expensive signings in the last transfer window. Under these circumstances, Barca would repeat a formula that has sort of worked for them last summer: target out-of-contract players.

Report: Barcelona eye Chelsea veteran as potential new leader

Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia, and Sergio Kun Aguero all joined Barcelona as free agents in the summer as the club tried to find a way to land new faces without spending toomuch. Their finances haven’t improved since then, so we can expect Barca to continue in the same way.

That makes Chelsea‘s Cesar Azpilicueta a great target for the Catalans, who according to ESPN, are keeping tabs on his situation. The Spanish defender has entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge, and if he doesn’t extend it before January, Barca could step in to negotiate a pre-contract agreement.

Azpilicueta, 32, is understood to be appreciated by Barca’s hierarchy not only due to his potential free agent status, but also because of the experience he would provide to the squad. He had a fantastic 2021 becoming a regular starter underThomas Tuchel and evenliftingthe UCL trophy wearing Chelsea’s armband.

Hewas even re-called to the Spain national team after three years. So we’re not talking about a player whose best days are far behind him. Besides, the report claims Xavi values the fact that Azpilicueta can perform either in a four-man or three-man defense. Even though he usually plays atright-back, the Spaniard can also play as center-back.

Chelsea look confident Azpilicueta will put pen to a new deal to extend his nine-year spellat the club, but as long as he doesn’t, Barcelona can imagine the possibility of approaching him. It would be another signing that brings experience to Camp Nou, just like Dani Alves did recently.