Cesar Azpilicueta could be allowed to leave Chelsea on a free transfer this summer, despite his contract being extended by a year.
Azpilicueta had been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona when his current Chelsea deal was due to expire on July 1. But that eventuality, which has been on the cards for much of the season, was placed in doubt on Thursday when it emerged that Azpilicueta had triggered a one-year extension at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea captain has made enough appearances this season to trigger an automatic extension until June 2023, meaning a free transfer away from the club is no longer an option. Chelsea are currently operating under severely restricting financial rules after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government following Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine.
