Inter Milan suffer Cesar Azpilicueta blow as Atletico Madrid agree transfer – Chelsea give green light

Cesar Azpilicueta is closing in on a summer transfer to Atletico Madrid despite verbally agreeing to join Inter Milan.

The 33-year-old looked close to a switch to Italy after agreeing a two-year deal with the Nerazzurri, however Azpilicueta is now expected to return to his homeland Spain.

Azpilicueta was close to leaving Chelsea last summer for Barcelona but following the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership’s takeover, the Blues captain opted to stay to help with the transition of the club.

Chelsea have planned a summer clear-out ahead of the 2023/24 season as they look to improve on their 12th placed Premier League finish, and Azpilicueta looks set to leave the club after 11 years at Stamford Bridge.

Fabrizio Romano reports Azpilicueta has agreed a two-year deal to join Diego Simeone’s side at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Chelsea are set to allow Azpilicueta to leave as a free agent as a mark of respect for his long-standing service, which has seen him win it all since his 2012 transfer from Ligue 1 side Marseille. Contracts will soon be signed ahead of the Spaniard finalising his switch to Madrid.

He will follow Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kai Havertz out of west London. Hakim Ziyech’s deal to join Saudi side Al-Nassr looks set to collapse after some issues emerged from his medical.

Chelsea have completed the signing of Nicolas Jackson on an eight-year deal from Villarreal. They are also looking to acquire Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.