Chelsea stalwart makes major U-turn as Fabrizio Romano confirms star will join Euro giant despite previous agreement

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Cesar Azpilicueta will join Atletico Madrid, despite previously agreeing terms with Inter Milan.

Azpilicueta is Chelsea’s longest-serving player by a long way. Indeed, he’s been with the Stamford Bridge outfit just shy of 11 years – the next highest tally is Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is nearing five years.

In fact, only 10 current Premier League players have represented their club for longer than Azpilicueta has Chelsea.

That lengthy period has seen him captain the side for years, as well as being part of some huge team triumphs.

He’s won the Premier League and the Europa League twice each with the Blues, along with the League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League once each.

The defender has racked up more than 500 appearances during his time with the club.

However, all good things must come to an end, and that seems to be the case for Azpilicueta’s tenure at Chelsea. That decision will have been helped by the woeful season in which they finished 12th in the Premier League.

Despite that poor season, the Spaniard has been the subject of interest from some big sides of late.

Azpilicueta agrees to join Atletico Madrid

Barcelona were the main name on the list for some time, but seem to have fallen away a while ago.

That left the door open for Inter Milan to swoop. A week ago (June 23) it was reported by transfer insider Romano that Azpilicueta had a “full agreement” in place with the Serie A side.

For whatever reason, the Spaniard has strayed away from them to return to Spain.

Indeed, in his latest update on the situation, Romano states Azpilicueta now has an “agreement in place” over a two-year contract with Atletico.

While he’s still under contract for another year at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are willing to let him leave as a free agent as a “matter of respect”.

While that will be one reason, getting wages off the books in any way necessary seems to be their priority at the moment, so it’s win-win for them.

Romano states documents will be ready “soon”, with the transfer taking place whenever that happens. While that opens up to another U-turn, after Azplicueta seems to have swivelled from Inter to Atletico, it seems unlikely that will happen.

Indeed, a move to Atletico seems a perfect fit for the defender. He began his career in Spain, and likely wants to return, and now has the opportunity to do that, playing for one of Europe’s biggest sides.

He’ll still be able to play at the top level, just in a more suitable situation than he might have been in.

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