Inter Milan 'have identified Cesar Azpilicueta' as a transfer target
Inter Milan ‘have identified Cesar Azpilicueta as a key target’ to reinforce their defence this summer… with his ‘agents working to free defender from his Chelsea contract’
- Inter Milan ‘have identified’ Cesar Azpilicueta as a ‘key’ target this summer
- It comes as Bayern Munich are also interested in signing the Chelsea defender
- Stay up-to-date with all the latest transfer news, gossip and talk at Mail Sport
Inter Milan are reportedly set to enter the race to sign Cesar Azpilicueta, with Simone Inzaghi’s side looking to strengthen in defence this summer.
The 33-year-old’s contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire in 2024, having signed a two-year contract extension back in 2022 after rumours emerged that he could move back to Spain.
Last summer, Mail Sport reported that Barcelona were ‘closing in’ on a deal to sign the full-back, but that deal ultimately stalled, with the cash strapped LaLiga giants unwilling to pay Chelsea’s £7million asking price.
Reports also suggested that co-owner Todd Boehly ‘blocked his move to Barcelona’ with Chelsea not wanting to lose one of their key leaders, following their recent £600m splurge on players.
But it now appears he could be on his way to Italy, with Sky Italia reporting that Inter Milan have ‘identified Azpilicueta as the right reinforcement for Inzaghi’s side.’
Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta could be set to leave the club, with Inter Milan ‘interested’
Inter Milan’s Simone Inghazi (pictured) has reportedly ‘identified him’ as transfer target
Azpilicueta’s (right) contract expires in 2024 but he could leave before new boss Mauricio Pochettino (left) gets stuck in rebuilding the team when he takes over from July 1
The Italian outlet are also claiming that while his Chelsea contract expires at the end of 2024, ‘his agents are working to try to free him early, allowing him to chose his next team.’
But the Champions League finalists are not the only team interested in securing his signature, with Mail Sport reporting Thomas Tuchel is interested in a reunion with the Chelsea defender and could look to bring him to Bayern Munich this summer.
Azpilicueta, who joined Chelsea back in 2012 from Marseille, has gone on to score 17 goals across 508 games in all competitions for the Blues, notably being a favourite under Tuchel, making 80 appearances while the German was in charge at the club.
It comes as Bayern are reportedly looking to refresh their right back ranks with Benjamin Pavard potentially set to depart the club this summer.
He’s played 508 times for the club, winning two league titles and a Champions League
Thomas Tuchel (left) is also reportedly keen on a reunion with the Spaniard at Bayern Munich
In Milan, questions have been mounting over Denzel Dumfries’ future, amid plenty of interest and it appears, should the Dutch defender depart this summer, Inghazi wants someone with Azpilicueta’s experience who can come in to fill his boots.
Chelsea have already been active in the transfer market, confirming the £53m signing of Christopher Nkunku earlier this week.
The Blues could also be forced to sign a new defender as speculation mounts over Kalidou Koulibaly’s tenure at the club, with the former Napoli defender closing on a move to Saudi Arabia.
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