Atletico Madrid are reportedly expected to finalise the transfer of Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta by the end of the week.
Soon after the arrival of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital last summer, Azpilicueta was convinced to spend an 11th season at Stamford Bridge.
Rather than stay in the running for a switch to Barcelona who, at the time, could not immediately complete a deal, the Spain international penned fresh terms at the Blues.
However, although Azpilicueta's leadership qualities were valued behind the scenes, he was restricted to 16 starts and nine substitute outings in the Premier League.
That was despite Reece James missing a large chunk of the season through injury, with the various head coaches sometimes opting for other options on the right-hand side of defence.
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With Mauricio Pochettino being appointed as the club's new boss, there was a scenario where the Argentine could have insisted on keeping the 33-year-old in West London.
Instead, both Pochettino and the club's hierarchy have respected Azpilicueta's status, with the versatile defender a club legend who has made 508 appearances in all competitions, when allowing him to take on a new challenge elsewhere.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Azpilicueta will complete a transfer to Atletico over the coming days having agreed personal terms with the La Liga giants.
The deal is over two years, rather than 12-month terms with the option of an extension, and it provides Azpilicueta with the opportunity to return to his homeland.
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He has not featured in Spain's top flight since leaving Osasuna in 2010, a total of 576 club outings being made since he made the switch to Marseille.
Azpilicueta's family were also keen in returning to Spain, a major factor in the player rejecting the advances of Inter Milan who felt in pole position to sign him.
From Atletico's perspective, they are effectively replacing Matt Doherty, who failed to make an impact having been kept as Nahuel Molina's understudy during the second half of last season.
Once the transfer is finalised, it will follow the acquisition of Leicester City centre-back Caglar Soyuncu, who has moved to Wanda Metropolitano as a free agent.
Darren Plant
