There is 'no guarantee' Cesar Azpilicueta will remain at Chelsea next season

According to journalist Dean Jones, there is currently ‘no guarantee’ Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta will remain at the club over the summer.

The 32-year-old is out of contract following the conclusion of the current campaign, and with no sign of him putting pen to paper on fresh terms, he could depart on a free transfer.

Azpilicueta is one of three first-team defenders set to become a free agent in just a few months’ time, with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger also in similar situations.

But the 36-cap Spain international is unlikely to be short of potential suitors following 10 very successful years at Stamford Bridge.

According to El Chiringuito (via Metro), Catalan giants Barcelona offered Azpilicueta a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months during the January transfer window.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano relayed this update last month, adding that the Blaugrana are ‘working’ on a deal to bring Azpilicueta back to his homeland and that ‘talks’ are on.

The versatile defender ended up staying put in the winter window, though, yet could still seek a new challenge next season if Chelsea don’t make him a suitable offer.

A report in the Daily Mail claims the major stumbling block in negotiations between the Blues and Azpilicueta is the length of the deal being put forward.

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Chelsea have a policy of only offering players over 31 one-year renewals, while Azpilicueta is looking for more stability, and Jones has disclosed how the hurdle could lead to the defender’s exit.

He told GiveMeSport: “There’s no guarantee he’s staying. So, he’s just looking after himself right now and his representatives are making sure that there is a