Barcelona stop pursuit of Bellerin and turn to Chelsea defender

12 lug 2017

Barcelona, despite their best efforts, have been unable to obtain their target Hector Bellerin from Premier League side Arsenal, and so the Catalans have turned their attention to Chelsea’s star defender, Cesar Azpilicueta, as an alternative. This is according to Spanish newspaper Sport via The Daily Mirror.

The La Liga side had an in-house meeting with their new manager Ernesto Valverde, and decided to drop the hunt of their youth academy product Bellerin, after weeks of speculation.
Now the La Liga giants have turned to reigning Premier League champions man Azpilicueta as someone would could help strengthen their right-back position.

The 27-year-old can be utilised as a full-back and also as a centre-back – something which Blues boss Antonio Conte so much success last season, as he opted to deploy a three man back line, instead of the usual four-man defence.

The Spanish international was brought to Stamford Bridge from French side Marseille back in 2012 and has enjoyed a successful time in England as a fan favourite among The Pensioners.

Jacque Talbot (@Jac_Talbot)