The long-serving Spain international has one year remaining on his current contract but is reportedly likely to be deemed surplus to requirements by new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Azpilicueta, who has made just shy of 350 Premier League appearances for the club he joined back in 2012, featured prominently during Tuchel’s tenure at Stamford Bridge and captained his side to a memorable Champions League triumph two years ago.
The 33-year-old had emerged as a target for his former boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich, but Azpilicueta is keen on a move to Serie A with personal terms and a two year contract agreed with last season’s beaten Champions League finalists.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Chelsea stalwart and the club he has served with such distinction for over a decade have come to a mutual decision over his future.
Pochettino is yet to officially start work on his rebuilding project, but made if clear during negotiations over his appointment of the need to trim Chelsea’s bloated first team squad.
Ideally, the former Tottenham and PSG boss wants to work with a group of around 24 senior players and significant work has already been undertaken to ensure thatPochettino does not encounter the same problems endured by his predecessor Graham Potter.
The Saudi Pro League’s ambitious recruitment drive has provided Chelsea with what some rival clubs have termed an ‘FFP get out of jail card’ with the likes of Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly all on the verge of completing moves and joining N’Golo Kante whose departure was confirmed earlier this week.
Chelsea, meanwhile, remain in negotiations with Arsenal and Manchester United over the transfers of Kai Havertz and Mason Mount, while it is expected that both Romelu Lukaku and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will also leave in one way or another.
Although the focus is centered on outgoings, Chelsea are making progress on the recruitment side of things, too.
Nicolas Jackson is set to undergo a medical this weekend ahead of his move from Villarreal, while Christopher Nkunku’s much anticipated move from RB Leipzig was rubber-stamped on Tuesday.
Chelsea missed out on the signing of Manuel Ugarte to PSG earlier this month but will renew their interest in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo as they search for an ideal midfield partner for Enzo Fernandez.
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