The Blues could be set to lose their skipper César Azpilicueta in the upcoming summer transfer window with the veteran defender’s current deal at the Bridge coming to a close at the end of next season.
Reports from El Gol Digital claim that La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid are in pole position to snap up the Chelsea captain whose future stay in west London looks increasingly uncertain beyond the summer.
Atletico are understood to be keeping tabs on the veteran defender amid reports of new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel himself monitoring a number of top defensive talents across Europe, namely Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule and Real Madrid wantaway first-team star Raphael Varane.
The 31-year-old Azpilicueta has been a regular name on the teamsheet for Chelsa since Tuchel took over at Stamford Bridge in January this year and on the back of his consistent set of displays in a now three-man backline for the west London giants, has attracted interest from rival clubs in the continent.
With José María Giménez’s future a source of concern for Atletico, Diego Simione’s outfit have identified the long-serving Chelsea man as a cut-price alternative who can be an ideal fit at the Vicente Calderón.
