Cesar Azpilicueta does not want to leave Chelsea, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, but Jones is confident that he wants to remain at Stamford Bridge.

What is the latest news involving Azpilicueta?

As per Marca, Barcelona are keen on bringing Azpilicueta back to Spain and have made the £150,000-a-week defender their No.1 target to improve their backline.

And looking at what Azpilicueta has done in England, he would do just that. Since arriving at Chelsea from Marseille, the Blues captain has played at right-back, right wing-back, centre-back, left-back and left wing-back (via Transfermarkt).

Ultimately, Azpilicueta's versatility alone would make him a great signing for Barcelona, while the La Liga outfit have also probably taken his experience into consideration.

He has made 459 appearances at an elite club like Chelsea, recently adding the Club World Cup to his incredible list of honours.

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What has Jones said about Azpilicueta?

From Azpilicueta's point of view, returning to his homeland and playing for one of its two biggest clubs may also sound appealing. However, according to Jones, the former Marseille man wants to stay at Chelsea.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the football journalist said: "Azpilicueta doesn't want to leave Chelsea. He's never had any desire to quit the club or anything like that, but the situation he's been left in is that he has to consider where he might be next season."

Should Chelsea allow Azpilicueta to join Barcelona?

No. They would be crazy to. Yes, Azpilicueta has not be an automatic starter under Thomas Tuchel this season, failing to feature in seven of their Premier League games. However, he still has plenty to offer.

As already mentioned, he is extremely versatile, meaning he can play in more than one position in Tuchel's back three. And again, the Chelsea skipper has so much experience; that and his leadership skills will not be easy to replace.

As things stand, it looks like the European champions are going to lose Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who are both also out of contract in the summer. Why add to that potential blow by letting another defender in Azpilicueta go?

The Chelsea hierarchy are seemingly reluctant to hand him a deal that is longer than one year, which seems to be the sticking point right now. It is their policy not to offer players in their 30s anything that exceeds that, but there is quite clearly more to gain than lose by giving Azpilicueta a two-year extension, making this situation a bit baffling.