Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Barcelona are attempting to accelerate talks for the Spanish international. “Barcelona and Chelsea are in direct contact with new round of talks now scheduled to discuss about Cesar Azpilicueta,” Romano tweeted. “Barca want to speed up the negotiation. Azpi, waiting for club’s agreement as Barca contract proposal is into his hands since March: deal until 2024.”
One player with Premier League experience that has joined Chelsea this window is Raheem Sterling, who sealed a £47.5million deal from Manchester City and the England star has even been tipped to replace Azpilicueta as club captain. “I think Raheem Sterling should go in at Chelsea and become the captain,” Trevor Sinclair told talkSPORT.
“If you look at it, he’s vice-captain of England and the only person who you can say has more experience than him is Thiago Silva and he’s getting on. You can’t build your team around someone who might be leaving at the end of the season.”