Chelsea defensive trio could open door to Barcelona switch for Erling Haaland

A Chelsea defensive trio could be the key for Barcelona to sign Erling Haaland this summer.

Thomas Tuchel's Blues are having well-documented issues with tying a number of their current crop down to new contracts this season.

Cash-strapped Barca have been subsequently keeping an eye on the situations of both Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen.

The Blues pair are set to be free agents this summer without a contract renewal.

And ESPN claim moves for them have been sounded out by the La Liga giants, who have also expressed an interest in Marcos Alonso.

His contract runs until June 2023.

As all three would be cheap signings, it would allow Xavi, who wants defensive reinforcements, to spend more of his transfer funds elsewhere.

And Barca president Joan Laporta is pushing to get a deal for Haaland over the line.

The striker's £68m release clause would be a big outlay, but one they could afford should they skimp elsewhere.

The competition for his signature is high, though, which is why Laporta has already been in the ear of agent Mino Raiola on multiple occasions.

Who should Chelsea keep and let go? Let us know in the comments section.

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Azpilicueta, who has been with Chelsea for nearly a decade, looks the likelier of the trio to move to his native Spain.

The report claims Barca are "optimistic" of finalising a deal for him in the coming months.

Centre-back Christensen may be harder to sign, with Bayern Munich also keen on what would be a steal of a signing.

Whether the reigning European champions would let Alonso leave remains to be seen.

It's claimed he nearly moved to the Camp Nou in January 2021, but Tuchel's arrival put pay to that happening.

The left-back, who would also be returning to his home country like Azpilicueta, has enjoyed a regular run in the side of late since first-choice Ben Chilwell got injured.

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