Barcelona are hoping that Chelsea will allow defender Cesar Azpilicueta to leave for free in the summer.

The club captain is out of contract when this season concludes, but Chelsea do have a one-year option they can activate to extend his deal.

Barça want to sign Azpilicueta, and he is believed to want the move as well.

The Catalan giants are hoping Chelsea will be gracious enough to allow a long servant to the club to leave positively, per ESPN.

Azpilicueta is now 32, and has won every major trophy since signing for Chelsea.