Inter Milan have identified Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta as the primary candidate to replace the departing Milan Skriniar.
The Slovakian will join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with the Nerazzurri.
This will leave a major gap at the back, but the Italian giants will try to fill it by poaching one of the most experienced defenders in European football.
According to Sky Sport journalist and transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio (via FcInter1908), Inter Milan have chosen Chelsea veteran Azpilicueta as the right man for the job.
The journalist adds that the Spaniard is currently working on terminating his contract with the Blues which will expire in a year. This would allow him to join Inter, or any other club for that matter, as a free agent.
The former Olympique Marseille defender has been plying his trade at Stamford Bridge since 2012. He won a host of trophies during his time with the Blues, including a Champions League trophy, two Premier League titles and two Europa League triumphs.
The Chelsea skipper will turn 34 in August and is incredibly versatile. Although he started his career as a right-back, he can also cover at left-back.
But in recent years, his managers have been increasingly deploying him in a more central role, in a position that is more suitable for his relatively advanced playing age.
Therefore, Azpilicueta would fill in for Skriniar on the right side of Simone Inzaghi’s three-man defense.
