CHELSEA face the prospect of losing FOUR centre-backs in the summer with club captain Cesar Azpilicueta yet to pen an extension at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard, along with Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen, is out of contract at the end of the season.
And Azpilicueta's teammates have been left 'bewildered' as to why he has not been offered a new deal by the European champions, according to Eurosport.
With Rudiger and Christensen both the subject of intense speculation, Chelsea's players had thought tying down Azpilicueta for another season would be a formality.
Rudiger has been rumoured to have 'agreed' a deal with Real Madrid, while Barcelona and AC Milan are monitoring Christensen.
But reports suggest a new contract is yet to be tabled, despite Azpilicueta himself being eager to stay on at Stamford Bridge.
Should a new deal fail to be agreed the 32-year-old veteran is not short of options for next season.
Barcelona have been linked with Azpilicueta, and are believed to be in talks with the defender over a move.
Atletico Madrid are also keen on snapping the Spaniard up on a free transfer.
Most read in Football
RED-EYED ROB 
Robbie Savage fights back tears as son Charlie, 18, comes on for Man Utd debut
Man Utd academy ace Zidane Iqbal, 18, is in line to face Young Boys
Fans must show Covid passports to enter Prem stadiums from next Wednesday
Spurs 'will ask Prem to postpone Brighton clash' as EIGHT players have Covid
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
That means the Blues face the prospect of losing FOUR defenders for free at the end of the campaign, should he move on.
Fenerbahce centre-back Attila Szalai has been touted as a potential replacement, and the South-West Londoners could rekindle their interest in Jules Kounde.
The Turkish outfit have even had to deny that a move for the 23-year-old Szalai is a 'done deal'.
Juventus man Matthijs de Ligt is another target, with the Dutchman's agent not ruling out a move to Chelsea.
Azpilicueta was handed the captain's armband by Thomas Tuchel this season after nine years of service to the club.
He has played just one of the last seven Premier League matches though with Rudiger, Christensen and Silva being Tuchel's first choice defenders.
And after a whopping 445 appearances for Chelsea, his time at the club may finally be coming to an end.
⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
Source: Read Full Article
