Barcelona are seemingly looking to replicate Chelsea’s Champions League success from last season, by signing their entire backline.
The Catalan side have already agreed a deal to bring Andreas Christensen to the Camp Nou when his contract expires this summer, along with AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, as they seek to reinforce their side on a shoe-string budget.
Barça president Laporta confirms: “We’ve completed two signings for the next season: one is a midfielder, the other one is a centre-back. But I’m not allowed to mention their names”. ✍🏻📑 #FCB
Of course, Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen deals are both fully agreed.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 28, 2022
It was thought that another Chelsea defender, Cesar Azpilicueta, would follow them to Catalonia, but an automatic extension triggered by Chelsea may have put pay to that idea. Should the Blues be allowed to conduct business this summer, though, he could still depart.
And now, Barcelona are seemingly looking to make it a trio of Chelsea defenders swapping Stamford Bridge for the Camp Nou.
Rudiger to follow suit?
As per footage obtained by Sky Sports, which can be seen below, Antonio Rudiger’s agent has been locked in talks with the Barcelona hierarchy over a potential move for the German.
🚨Exclusive #Rüdiger: Secret negotiations in Barcelona! On Wednesday night Alemany, Cruyff & ARs agent Senesie met in the hotel „The Barcelona Edition“. The appointment went three hours. Barca wants Rüdiger as a free agent! @SkySports @Sky_Marc #CFC pic.twitter.com/6VNAhvSm62
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) March 31, 2022
Like Christensen, Rudiger is out of contract in the summer, but is yet to decide on his future club, while Chelsea’s current sanctions mean that they cannot negotiate a new deal with the 28-year-old.
As a result, it seems as though Barca have sniffed out an opportunity to add yet another cut-price star to their ranks.
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