According to the report from metro.co, Barcelona chiefs Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff were both in attendance at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid....CONTINUE READING
The Blues gave a spirited showing for roughly an hour and could have pulled a goal back but for some profligate finishing, though their hopes were dashed by Rodrygo in the 58th minute before the Brazilian wrapped up a 4-0 aggregate win late on.
As per the report, Barca director of football Alemany and sports director Cruyff were both in the stands on Tuesday evening, though their presence was not simply to watch the match.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the duo were at Stamford Bridge to cast an eye over N’Golo Kante, who they have long been linked with making a move for, while they are also interested in two other Chelsea players.
The 32-year-old defensive midfielder, who has missed most of the season through injury, is out of contract in the summer when he can leave on a free transfer.
Chelsea have been in talks with Kante for some time over a new two-year extension and negotiations have gone well, with positivity from all sides that the Frenchman will put pen to paper.
Yet a new contract is still yet to be announced and that means Kante and his entourage are free to discuss terms with foreign clubs.
Barcelona still hope to convince Kante to move to Camp Nou and he may opt to delay a decision over his future until Chelsea have appointed a new manager.
But for Kante playing, Alemany and Cruyff’s trip might have been a waste of time with their other two targets – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Cesar Azpilicueta – not playing.
