Word stemming from the media late on Thursday points towards a potentially complex exchange deal being on the cards between Chelsea and Barcelona.
This comes with the latter remaining keen on a pair of Blues defenders.
Amid the club’s ongoing efforts to reinforce Xavi Hernandez’s backline ahead of next season, the transfer team at the Camp Nou have set their sights firmly on the additions of both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
Reports in Spain earlier today even went as far as to suggest that a deal to bring the former to Catalunya was on the verge of completion.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is challenged by Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 28, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
In turn, it didn’t come as a massive surprise, late this evening, to hear of new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly being spotted in Barcelona, ahead of a meeting with Joan Laporta and co.
¡Acaban de llegar los propietarios del Chelsea a Barcelona!
En las próximas horas se puede producir el encuentro con el FC Barcelona para negociar las llegadas de Azpilicueta y Marcos Alonso @JijantesFC #mercato pic.twitter.com/bTDv5omqbw
— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero) July 7, 2022
And now, as alluded to above, an insight into the details of the discussion between the two clubs has been provided.
The info comes courtesy of the Daily Mail, who reiterate that negotiations centered around the potential arrivals of Spanish international pair Alonso and Azpilicueta at the Camp Nou.
In a bid to drive the fee involved in any such operation down, Barcelona are understood to have offered up two players of their own.
The stars in question? Sergino Dest and Memphis Depay.
The name of Frenkie de Jong is also said to have come to the fore, albeit with it having been made clear that the Dutchman would rather link back up with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, than take his talents to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly jets into Barcelona for transfer talks over huge player swap deal https://t.co/iMRJVj2tGQ
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) July 7, 2022
Should Barca ultimately go on to strike deals for both Alonso and Azpilicueta, it would of course mean that no fewer than three Chelsea defenders have opted to link up with Xavi’s squad this summer, after the free agent arrival of Andreas Christensen was made official earlier today.
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