Serie A heavyweights Inter are reportedly on the cusp of brokering a deal to bring in Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta. As relayed by Gazzetta dello Sport, the Spaniard has grown tired of the poor treatment he has received from the Blues, making him file a transfer request.
Azpilicueta has spent the last 11 years at Stamford Bridge since swapping Marseille for Chelsea in 2012. During his trophy-laden spell in West London, he has won nine major titles, including two Premier Leagues and one Champions League. But his prolific time in England is drawing to a close as he looks keen to embark on a new challenge.
Even though his contract runs out next summer, Azpilicueta is poised to cut ties with Chelsea this summer. The 33-year-old has urged the club to let him leave either on loan or facilitate his departure on a free transfer, with Inter ready to pounce.
Simone Inzaghi’s men are on the lookout for a new defender amid rumors surrounding Milan Skriniar’s uncertain future at Giuseppe Meazza. The PSG-bound defender will become a free agent this time next week, with Inter unable to convince him to commit his future to the Nerazzurri shirt.
Meanwhile, Inzaghi’s three-man backline would perfectly suit Azpilicueta, who excelled in an identical set-up under Thomas Tuchel. He’s viewed as the ideal candidate to fill the void in terms of performance, reliability, and experience. But since he’ll turn 34 in August, he’d only be a short-term solution.
Last season, he managed 25 appearances in the Premier League as Chelsea failed to secure a top-half finish for the first time since 1995/96. The club’s massive downfall in the wake of Roman Abramovich’s departure made numerous first-team stars reconsider their futures going into the summer transfer window.
One of them is Azpilicueta, who could be days away from pledging his allegiance to Inter.
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