Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta remains keen to leave the club in favour of a move to Barcelona, 90min understands, with Marcos Alonso also hopeful of joining him at Camp Nou.
Azpilicueta has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Chelsea and has privately expressed his desire to leave for a new challenge. Before Todd Boehly's takeover at Stamford Bridge, the club captain had a gentlemen's agreement with those in charge that he would be allowed to leave for a small fee.
Talks were all put on hold while Roman Abramovich transferred control of the club to Boehly, and now the American is in charge, further meetings can be held with Azpilicueta.
Sources close to the situation have confirmed to 90min that the 32-year-old is still keens to make the move to Barcelona. An agreement over personal terms was struck weeks ago and Azpilicueta is now waiting to see whether he will be allowed to leave.
Boehly is keen to give manager Thomas Tuchel a significant say in Chelsea's transfer business and will let the boss make the final decision on Azpilicueta's future.
Chelsea will also come to a conclusion on the future of left-back Alonso, who is keen to make the move to Barcelona as well.
The Blues are understood to be willing to let Alonso return to Spain as they already have a replacement for him lined up in the form of Emerson, who enjoyed a solid loan spell with Lyon last season and nearly returned to the club in January following Ben Chilwell's injury.
On the latest edition of Talking Transfers, Harry Symeou hosts as 90min's transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth who discuss the futures of Bukayo Saka, Raphael Leao, Romelu Lukaku, Kalvin Phillips, Youri Tielemans, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus and more!
Again, Tuchel will be given the final say on Alonso's future at the club, and he will also be given the chance to sign Barcelona's Sergino Dest in exchange as well. The American is on the fringes of Xavi's squad at Camp Nou and his ability to play on both sides of the defence could make him a valuable asset for Tuchel.
The Blues also remain in talks with the representatives of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele and are confident of signing the Frenchman on a free transfer this summer once his current deal at Camp Nou expires at the end of the month.
Source : 90min