Barcelona plan big-money move for Chelsea defender

Spanish giants Barcelona are prepared to lure Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta to the Camp Nou in the summer.

The La Liga holders are hot on the trail for a new right-back this summer after having failed to overcome the absence of Dani Alves, who left for Juventus last year.

Arsenal's Hector Bellerin has been heavily tipped for a move to Barca in the summer, but it appears that the club could be priced out of the player, who inked a new six-year deal at the Emirates last year.

As a result, the Spanish champions has switched their attention towards Azpilicueta, who has been in fine form for Chelsea this season.

The former Marseille man has comfortably adapted to the three at the back formation at Stamford Bridge while he has also featured in the right wing-back position when required.

According to Catalan publication Sport, Azpilicueta is on a two-man shortlist alongside Bayer Leverkusen's Benjamin Henrichs with the transfer window close approaching.

The 27-year-old only penned a fresh three-and-a-half contract earlier in December 2016, but the prospect of linking up with a club of Barcelona's calibre could be hard to turn down.