César Azpilicueta could be on radar to fill Bosingwa exit
Chelsea are believed to be seriously interested in highly-rated Marseille right-back César Azpilicueta.
The young defender has been followed extensively by Europe’s top clubs, but Chelsea are the most eager to land the Spanish international to improve their options at right-back, a position where their reserves are very thin.
Following the club’s Champions League triumph, it was announced that right-back Jose Bosingwa was to leave Stamford Bridge. Branislav Ivanovic, who missed the final, is now the club’s only right-back, although versatile defender Paulo Ferreira can fill the position if required.
Chelsea are looking at length into the possibility of Azpilicueta becoming the club’s first-choice right back, allowing Ivanovic to be deployed in the centre. The Londoners are rumoured to have scouted the Spaniard on numerous occasions, and are now ready to launch a bid.
Whilst Marseille would be reluctant to sell a defender with such potential, sources claim a figure of around £12million could tempt the French club, a reasonable fee given Azpilcueta’s premature age of 21.
Rumours have circulated that Chelsea are in the market for strikers Radamel Falcao and Hulk from Atlético Madrid and FC Porto respectively. Yet the club are wary that they cannot ignore the weakness at right-back, a position which has haunted them considerably since Bosingwa’s drop in form.
Now the Portuguese has left the club, Chelsea’s hierarchy feel there is a definite need for reinforcement over the summer and are willing to finance a move for Azpilicueta.
Of course, there is uncertainty regarding who will succeed Andre Villas-Boas as Chelsea’s permanent manager next season, but, according to reports, what is certain is that the club will look to strengthen their defence this summer.
Indeed, Chelsea have been linked with a move for Dutch right-back Gregory van der Wiel over the past few days, but it is believed the defender would cost more than Azpilicueta, and the Dutchman is also more highly sought after than the Marseille defender.
