Barcelona are targeting Chelsea defenders Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta as part of the Catalan giants’ summer rebuild.
Both players are out of contract in west London at the end of the season and are now able to talk to interested clubs.
Chelsea are determined to keep hold of the duo and are continuing negotiations in a bid to avoid losing them for nothing in the summer.
Christensen is also a target for Bayern Munich, with the Dane seeing his reputation soar over the past 12 months.
Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea’s hierarchy have grown increasingly frustrated by the 25-year-old’s failure to commit his future to Stamford Bridge after months of protracted talks.
Tuchel even dropped Christensen before Christmas in an attempt to break the deadlock.
But it is believed Barca are now growing confident he will be convinced to walk away from the European champions and become part of Xavi’s overhaul at the Camp Nou.
Barca are also trying to land Azpilicueta with the offer of a two-year deal and the option of a further 12 months.
It was anticipated that the veteran defender would be among the easiest of a host of contract renewals for Chelsea ahead of the summer – but his desire for a longer-term deal appears to have been a sticking point.
Chelsea are also continuing negotiations with Antonio Rudiger, who is the subject of interest from Europe’s biggest clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Tuchel is targeting a move Jules Kounde in the summer – but will need further defensive additions if he loses any of his out-of-contract players.
