Spanish defender reaches €13 million salary agreement with Barcelona

There has been a fresh development in Barcelona’s pursuit of Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta as the Evening Standard reports that the Blues have demanded a transfer fee of £7 million for the club icon, with the defender agreeing a contract with the Catalans.

Azpilicueta is in the final year of his contract with Chelsea and has his heart set on an exit. A move to Barcelona is said to be the Spanish international’s priority with the versatile defender already reaching an agreement over personal terms with the Blaugrana.

Talks with Chelsea have picked up momentum over the past week, with the club’s new chairman and interim director, Todd Boehly, travelling to Barcelona to negotiate with the Catalans for multiple deals, including Azpilicueta.

Reports in Spain had indicated that a deal worth around €3 million was close to being finalised. However, now as per Evening Standard, Chelsea are demanding a sum of £7 million (€8.3 million) to let go of their club captain.

It is further claimed that Azpilicueta has agreed a lucrative contract with the La Liga giants. As per the terms of the agreement, the Chelsea ace is expected to pocket around £11 million per year (€13 million) before tax with Barcelona.

The west London giants had shelled out £7 million to sign Azpilicueta from Marseille in 2012 and wish to recoup the entire sum this summer. But the report adds that there is a feeling that further negotiations between the two clubs should see the asking price drop.

Azpilicueta has been one of Xavi Hernandez’s main targets this summer as he seeks to reinforce the right side of his defence. The 32-year-old is likely seen as a replacement for Dani Alves, who was released at the end of his contract.

With things moving fast, there may be a possibility that the Blaugrana complete Azpilicueta’s signing before leaving for the pre-season tour to the United States of America.