Cesar Azpilicueta Set For US Tour With Chelsea Departure Not Imminent Despite Barcelona Meeting

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is set to go on the Blues’ pre-season tour of the United States as his departure is not said to be imminent.

Barcelona are highly interested in the Blues captain, looking to bring the 32-year-old to the Camp Nou this summer.

It has been reported that Azpilicueta has already met with the Chelsea owners to discuss a potential departure this summer.

However, head coach Thomas Tuchel is keen to keep his captain at the club but has previously admitted that he must be fully committed.

He admitted: "He is everything Chelsea is about, and I am so, so happy he is the captain because he is humble, hard-working, a nice guy and a polite guy.

"I am happy that in football, it's possible a guy like this can win all the trophies. That sets the example. It sets the tone. It sets the atmosphere at a very high level.

Cesar Azpilicueta has been linked with a move to Barcelona this summer. (Alamy)

"We (need to) find out if he can give everything that makes him special.

"I think, with all the respect, he can only be special if he is committed 100 percent and does not have another little voice in his head, not one concern in his head, that he should have done something differently. 

"He is only the guy he is when he is fully committed.

"That is his foundation. So this is what we have to find out.

"That does not mean we find it out tomorrow or today, we still have time because we are also in the privileged position where we have a contract. We have to see."

The new Blues owners travelled to Barcelona on Thursday evening to meet with board members at the club, with the reason for the discussions unknown.

Despite Todd Boehly hinting that an agreement had been reached with Barcelona regarding a transfer following the meeting, Azpilicueta does not appear to be close to a move.

As reported by Gerard Romero, Azpilicueta is not close to joining Barcelona, with a transfer not thought to be imminent as of right now.

Coach of Chelsea Thomas Tuchel celebrate the victory and the qualification with Cesar Azpilicueta (left) following the UEFA Champions League match against LOSC Lille. (Alamy)

Details of the move are yet to be defined as the 32-year-old will join his team on their pre-season tour of the United States of America.

The Blues are set to fly to North America on Saturday as they prepare to face Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal during their two-week camp.

It remains to be seen as to whether Azpilicueta will still be a Chelsea player upon their return from pre-season, with Barceloan keen to sign the defender this summer.

Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Barcelona, Cesar Azpilicueta, Football, Transfers, Premier League

Nick Emms

Digital Content Editor for Absolute Chelsea. Multimedia Sports Journalism Graduate. Experience: Charlton Athletic.

@NJEmms