Serie A: Cesar Azpilicueta close to joining Inter Milan
Chelsea FC legend, Cesar Azpilicueta is set to complete a move to Inter Milan this summer after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Serie A club.
The move will see the Spaniard make a return to the Champions League next season with the Italian club.
Popular journalist, Fabrizio Romano reported that Cesar Azpilicueta has agreed personal terms with Inter Milan and will join on a two-year deal.
He is now set to complete a free transfer, with Chelsea happy to cancel his contract a year early to allow him to leave for the 2023 Champions League runners-up.
The Spanish defender completed a move to west London 11 years ago after joining from Marseille back in 2012.
Understand César Azpilicueta has now full agreement on personal terms with Inter. Two year deal sealed. 🚨⚫️🔵
Chelsea are expected to let him go by terminating his contract despite being still valid until 2024.
There’s always been genuine respect between Azpi and Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/nodpgZKf5s
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 23, 2023
Since then, the 33-year-old has gone on to make 508 appearances for the Blues, scoring 17 goals in the process.
He also has a pretty spectacular trophy haul to his name, having won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, two Europa Leagues, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea and Inter have been locked in negotiations all summer over a range of issues. While the Blues have backed away from a deal for goalkeeper Andre Onana, talks remain ongoing over striker Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku spent last season on loan with Inter and is determined to return. Chelsea are pushing for a permanent sale but Inter can only afford a loan and so work is being done to try and thrash out an agreement that benefits everyone.
Azpilcueta won’t be the only player to leave Chelsea this summer, with stars such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, and Mason Mount among the frontrunners to move on.
N’Golo Kante has already finalized a move to the Middle East, joining Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.
As for incomings, Chelsea confirmed the signing of Christopher Nkunku this week, having signed an agreement for the Frenchman before the end of the season. The club also remains in talks to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.
