Sports

Confirmed: Chelsea ‘Block Azpilicueta, Alonso Sales’ After Barca Hijack Kounde Deal

Published

2 years ago

Jul 28, 2022.

Benard Joseph

Chelsea ‘Block Azpilicueta, Alonso Sales’ After Barca Hijack Kounde Deal.
It comes as the Blues are on the verge of losing another transfer target to Barcelona…

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Chelsea has reportedly blocked the possible sale of Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to Barcelona this summer after the Catalan club snatched Jules Kounde from under their noses.

It comes as the Blues are on the verge of losing another transfer target to Barcelona, after Chelsea had seen their offer accepted for the Sevilla defender.

The Frenchman had been on Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist since last year, but Barca have stolen in under Chelsea’s nose.

Having already signed Raphinha this summer from Leeds United despite an agreement with the Blues, Barcelona’s rampant transfer strategy is not slowing up. Chelsea duo Azpilicueta and Alonso are also strongly linked with moves to the Nou Camp.

According to reports, Tuchel is prepared to put the brakes on any chance of Azpilicueta and Alonso switching to the Spanish giants despite both reportedly already agreeing personal terms with Barca.

The two Chelsea players have one year left on their contracts and believed they would have a strong chance of landing a dream transfer back to Spain.

But the west London outfit are less than pleased with Barcelona’s conduct throughout the window – going behind the club’s back and speaking to either player without permission.

With Chelsea missing out on their top target to replace Azpilicueta in Kounde, letting their captain go would also leave them short at the back.

Equally, letting Alonso depart would leave Ben Chilwell as the only left-back at the club – who has only just recovered from a serious injury. There is Emerson Palmieri, as well, but his squad status is negligible after having already been sent out on loan

It leaves new owner Todd Boehly with a major conundrum with the new Premier League season fast approaching and still major plugs in the squad to fill. Andreas Christensen – who also joined Barcelona – has yet to be replaced while Antonio Rudiger’s boots are set to be filled by Kalidou Koulibaly.

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Nevertheless, having missed out on Raphinha, who signed for Barca, Tuchel is still desperate for a right wing-back, at least one more defender and a wide forward. Raheem Sterling could have filled that void but he looks set to replace Romelu Lukaku, who left after one year at Stamford Bridge.

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