"The conversations were there [with Barca]. I thought after the Club World Cup [in February], winning this Trophy and being the first player at Chelsea to win every single trophy available, that perhaps it was time to go back to Spain, maybe for a new challenge," Cesar Azpilicueta has told the media, per Nathan Gissing.

Barcelona missed out on Azpilicueta after failing to complete the deal in time – the Spaniard wanted his future sorted before the Premier League started.

The 32-year-old has signed a 2-year contract extension with Chelsea.

Source: Nathan Gissing