Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has initiated talks aimed at potentially signing Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, according to Catalan daily Sport.
The Spanish giants are on the lookout for a specialist right-back as they bid to increase new coach Ernesto Valverde's optinons at the back.
Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin is still the priority for Barcelona, but the Catalan outfit have identified Azpilicueta as a possible summer recruit if they miss out on the Gunners star.
New Barcelona boss Valverde is a long-time admirer of Azpilicueta and wants the club to snap up the 27-year-old; he previously tried to sign the Spain international during his managerial stint at Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona feel that besides also being able to play as a left-back, Azpilicueta can also be deployed as a centre-back in a three-man defence, as Chelsea have done.
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And it has been claimed that Fernandez has already initiated talks for Azpilicueta as he takes soundings on whether a deal can be done.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has also enquired about Azpilicueta and it is believed that the Blues would demand around €30m for the Spaniard.
It is likely that Chelsea would prefer to sell Azpilicueta to Barcelona, who are not their rivals in the Premier League, if they do agree to let him go.
