Barcelona want to sign Chelsea captain?

Barcelona are keeping tabs on the contract situation of Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, according to ESPN.

The Spaniard has less than eight months left on his Blues contract, and there have not been any talks over a renewal.

He can negotiate a pre-contract with a foreign club in January, and it is reported that the Blaugrana may approach him.

New boss Xavi Hernandez is keen on adding more experience to the backline, and has his sights on the versatile defender.

The Catalan giants recently re-signed Dani Alves for free, and the right-back is eligible to play from the turn of the year.

Azpilicueta occupies a similar position, but he can also play as a left-back or centre-back with relative ease and comfort.

The Blues are confident that their captain will extend his stay, but a setback could pave the way for Barca to sign him.

They are already struggling to convince Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, whose deals expire next summer.