Football News : Chelsea set asking price for Azpilicueta, Alonso as Barcelona prepares bid

So far the transfer market has been unfortunate for Chelsea as whatever they bid on is acquired by Barcelona. Thus, now Barca are willing lure away Chelsea defenders as the Blues have set the asking price for Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.

According to a source, Barcelona has been informed by Chelsea that if they want to recruit both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso this summer, they must pay€25M.

Meanwhile, The Catalan giants have already signed free agent centre-back Andreas Christensen from the Blues, but they are eager to expand their full-back options by adding Spanish pair Azpilicueta and Alonso.

Sport reports that Barcelona is planning to continue talks with Chelsea this week about signing both players. However, they may find it difficult to agree to the Blues' asking price given their well-known financial difficulties.

Azpilicueta, 32, and Alonso, 31, are both valued by Barca at €10 million (£8.4 million), despite the fact that both have begun the last year of their deals with Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, though, is standing by their asking price and is not feeling any pressure to part with the two until they have found replacements. Chelsea reportedly submitted a proposal for Brighton & Hove Albion left-back Marc Cucurella that is higher than £50 million, beating Manchester City to his services.

The 24-year-old is believed to have also agreed to personal terms, and the Blues are currently awaiting word from Brighton. Wesley Fofana, the centre back for Leicester City who the Foxes value at over £70 million, is also a target for Thomas Tuchel's team.

In the meantime, according to a report from the Daily Mirror, Chelsea would be open to letting both Azpilicueta and Alonso leave. But in one condition i.e.as part of a player-plus-cash exchange for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The 25-year-old Dutchman has been closely associated with Manchester United, and last month, Barca purportedly agreed to a transfer cost in excess of £70 million.

Chelsea has since joined Manchester United in the battle for De Jong's services, and according to one rumour, they are hopeful of landing the midfielder this summer.

According to the source, Chelsea may offer De Jong from Barcelona a £50 million swap deal that includes both Azpilicueta and Alonso, an offer that could attract him.

The Catalan club would not only secure two of their top defensive targets, but they would also get rid of De Jong's high-paying salary from their payroll and collect a sizeable transfer fee to aid their financial situation.

Azpilicueta has played 474 times for Chelsea since joining the team in 2012, and he has won nine total trophies throughout that time.

Alonso, who started his career with Real Madrid, has spent the last six years with Chelsea, where he has helped the Blues score 52 goals in 211 games and win six significant titles.

Along with adding Christensen this summer, Barcelona also added Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Jules Kounde, with the latter three going for over £150 million each.

For more Sports updates please follow us on Twitter