Barcelona's frustration is growing and they want Cesar Azpilicueta to hand in a transfer request to progress any potential move, according to reports.
The Catalans are looking to add the Chelsea defender, who himself is keen on a return to his homeland. Azpilicueta saw a contract clause result in his deal being extended last term, giving him another 12 months at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona want Azpilicueta to force his exit from London with the player, so far, unable to talk his way out of the club. The Spaniard is reluctant to hand in a transfer request, which could burn many of his bridges and taint his Chelsea legacy, but the Nou Camp outfit are prepared to consider other options if no progress is made.
Thomas Tuchel has said that he will sit down with his captain to discuss their next move but Barcelona want the situation resolved quickly, rather than a drawn out saga, reports The Sun. Dani Alves recently departed the Nou Camp leaving Xavi light in that area.
Tuchel has confessed, as the club enter a new era with new owners, that perhaps Azpilicueta's spell at the club may have come to a natural end. He said: "We had a lot of these talks because I think it felt like he won everything after the Club World Cup so I can understand these thoughts, that maybe a cycle is at its end. Then there’s also a change of ownership and he played only under this owner so maybe it increased his second thoughts about his situation.
"His extension kicked in at the same time and he loves the club, he loves the challenge and he loves to be here. He is our captain, we are still in dialogue and at some point we are also selfish because we are not responsible to solve any other club’s problems or to fulfil any other club’s wishes.
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"Given the fact that we lose key defenders already, it’s not the ideal scenario to think about losing Azpi, even though I can understand his personal point of view. At some point, if you are a legend which he is, you deserve from me and the club a second look at it, to see if there’s maybe an exception from the rule and we are still in this process."
Chelsea have seen several of their major backline options leave in recent weeks. Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen were free to exit once their contracts expired. Rudiger has joined Real Madrid whilst Christensen is set to move to Barcelona.
The Blues are chasing Sevilla's Jules Kounde, who has long been a target. However the Catalans are also eyeing the French centre-half ahead of a potential transfer battle.
