Bilboa ready to bring Azpilicueta back to Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta’s future in London remains unclear, with PSG and Barcelona also interested in landing his services

Antonio Conte holds the key to Cesar Azpilicueta’s fate for both club and country in the coming weeks as the defender’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain.

On Monday, the incoming Blues coach will face off against Spain in the knock-out stage of Euro 2016, a game which could be his last in charge of Italy, but could also decide whether the full-back will start the new season at Stamford Bridge.

Azpilicueta threatens to be deemed surplus to requirement at Chelsea, with Conte’s preference for a formation consisting of three central defenders well-documented, but there is no shortage of potential suitors from across Europe.

Athletic Club are chief among those hoping to land the 27-year-old this summer and have the added incentive of his former Osasuna coach now working with the reserve team at the Estadio San Mames.

But the Bilbao club have yet to table an offer amid interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, which threatens to spark a bidding war after Chelsea insisted that they would not listen to any offers below €15 million.