Barcelona are reportedly willing to release as many as seven first-team stars this summer as they look to complete the double transfer of Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta.
The two defenders are set to be released on free transfers this summer, with both seeing their contracts at Stamford Bridge expire at the end of the season. The Blues have attempted to negotiate new deals with both players but no agreements have been reached as of yet and departures now seem the most likely scenario.
Barcelona have been regularly linked with moves for the duo ahead of the summer transfer window. Club captain Azpilicueta will have spent 10 years in west London come the end of the campaign but with Chelsea unwilling to offer him an extension of longer than a year, an impasse has been reached.
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But despite his seemingly imminent departure, Thomas Tuchel has remained insistent that the Spaniard remains a key member of the Blues squad, saying back in February: "The plans, most of them are not longer than 10 or 14 days in football and for me as a manager.
"But he's super important. He was super important from day one. We had a good connection from the first day, which you always look for as a coach. He gets better with every game he plays. He's an example of a leader who leads by example, which is always super nice to have."
As per a report from Spanish outlet AS, Barcelona's summer plans have been revealed in more detail. They state that Xavi and co. are willing to let as many as seven first-team players leave at the end of the season to help make moves for the likes of Azpilicueta and Christensen more possible.
The Catalan giants were famously made to part ways with Lionel Messi during the summer transfer window as money problems mounted at the Camp Nou. Keeping within restraints will be a priority for the club this summer, although their recently-announced £235m stadium sponsorship deal with Spotify should help ease the financial burden somewhat.
