Chelsea are poised to rekindle their interest in Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, according to sources in France.

 

The Blues have been linked with Spanish defender Azpilicueta at various points over the last 12 months, but in the January transfer window their interest became so serious that the former Osasuna man took the unusual step of telling Chelsea to speak to Marseille to close a deal, in order to force the London club into action.

 

In the end Azpilicueta remained at the Stade Velodrome, though Chelsea have never lost sight of the 22-year-old.

 

After enduring a season of disappointment at Marseille last year, which means no Champions League football at the club for 2012/13, Azpilicueta has been open about his potential future, admitting that he may have to leave the Ligue 1 giants.

 

Indeed, the defender’s international ambitions are driving him forward, with the real belief starting to take hold that Marseille is not the platform to break into Vicente del Bosque’s European Championship-winning side he assumed it to be.

 

For Chelsea, Azpilicueta’s itchy feet come at the perfect time, with a right-back a priority for manager Roberto Di Matteo, especially after Portuguese defender Jose Bosingwa was released.

 

The Champions League winners have looked closely at Lille’s Mathieu Debuchy, while signing Brazilian Maicon from Inter has also been investigated.

 

But so far no new right-back has arrived at Stamford Bridge and the Blues are poised to approach Marseille for Azpilicueta.

 

They will surely find a player keen to take the step up to the next level.

 

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