Barcelona remain hopeful of securing a deal for Chelsea defensive duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso this summer.
Thomas Tuchel made it clear that he wants Azpilicueta to remain at Stamford Bridge next season despite the Spaniard's desire to join Barca. football.london understands that the Blues are open to selling Alonso with the 31-year-old wanting to leave the club after six years.
Barcelona have won two battles in the transfer market against Chelsea so far, signing both Raphinha and Jules Kounde after the Blues had agreed fees with their respective clubs. The west Londoners have blocked any advances for Azpilicueta, but Barca president Joan Laporta has hinted at when the Catalan club could make a fresh approach for Chelsea's captain.
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In a recent interview, Laporta discussed Barcelona's transfer activity and hinted that the club could make more signings depending on when they can register the likes of Jules Kounde, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. The Barcelona president said: "Depending on when we can register the new players, we will consider signing more players. We hope that there will be no problems, and we can sign someone."
Barca have already signed one former Chelsea defender in Andreas Christensen after the Denmark international's contract expired at Stamford Bridge. Tuchel is keen to block Azpilicueta's dream move to the Camp Nou this summer as the Blues continue to search for defensive reinforcements after missing out on Nathan Ake and Kounde.
Azpilicueta enters the final 12 months of his contract with the west Londoners and wants to start a new chapter in his career after a 12-year stay at Stamford Bridge. Tuchel admitted to being annoyed by Barcelona's pursuit of his club captain during the Blues' pre-season tour of America.
The German manager said: "It's tough because I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants. At some point it is about what we want. I just made the comparison about how much we fought for [Kalidou] Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age.
"He is a hugely important player for Napoli but we have a Spanish international who is the captain of Chelsea. I see him maybe at the same level but Barcelona don't see him on that level. So I am not sure if I want to give him what he wants as he is a huge player."
football.london understands Chelsea have held talks with Leicester City star Wesley Fofana's representatives earlier this week. It comes after the Blues suffered another blow in their hunt to add defensive reinforcements to Tuchel's squad after Antonio Rudiger and Christensen departed the club.
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