Barcelona head coach Xaxi has told Chelsea duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso that he will do ‘everything possible’ to sign them, according to reports.
The relationship between the two teams took a recent hit when the La Liga club hijacked a move for Sevilla star Jules Kounde, who had agreed to Chelsea and the club had been expecting him to arrive at Stamford Bridge.
Kounde joining Barcelona has been a huge blow to Chelsea’s transfer plans and the Premier League team are reported to be ‘angry’ over the situation, especially as they are still trying to sign Azpilicueta and Alonso.
But, Spanish outlet Sport are now reporting that an agreement is close and that Xavi has been in permanent contact with the both, assuring them a deal will be done. Barca also hope that Chelsea’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong may help in negotiations.
Xavi concedes he ‘doesn’t know’ if De Jong will still be a Barca player come the end of the transfer window after the club’s president gave United and Chelsea hope of completing a deal.
Chelsea have already lost Antonio Rudiger and Christensen this summer to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, and though they have signed Koulibaly permanently they want more defensive reinforcements before they allow Azpilicueta & Alonso to leave.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are believed to be keen on signing Leicester City central defender Wesley Fofana, but the Foxes are demanding a world-record fee for him.
They had been linked to Presnel Kimpembe – who has decided to stay at PSG – and were also rumoured to be interested in a return for Nathan Ake from Man City.
Meanwhile, PSG’s new right-back Nordi Mukiele has revealed that he rejected a late approach from the Blues. The 24-year-old has spent the last four years in Germany and helped RB Leipzig win the DFB-Pokal in May.
