Azpilicueta deal to be finalised with Kakuta heading the other way

Chelsea are soon to complete the signing of Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, reports suggesting it could potentially be a matter of hours until the deal is made public on the Blues' official website, and French winger Gael Kakuta is suspected to be heading the other way on loan.

The Stamford Bridge outfit have long been looking to buy a talented right-back after the departure of Jose Bosingwa at the end of last season for cover for Branislav Ivanovic. Many players have been linked, such as Brazilian Maicon, however at the age of 31, it is unlikely that he would provide sufficient years of reliable cover in the position. Instead, the Blues have been quick in snapping up Azpi from financially unstable Marseille, after the French club finished 10th in the league, missing out on Champions League football, thus having to cash-in their prized assets in a bid to provide finances. It is a move that has worked out very nicely for Chelsea; he is young at 23, and has a disciplined balance between defence and attack, providing a reliable option at either end of the field whilst being a solid, composed full-back.

The other half of the deal sees youngster Gael Kakuta head to Marseille on a loan deal. Kakuta has been looking for regular first-team football, and this seems a great opportunity for him, in a top league at a team challenging for Champions League football. We hope that this will further his prosperous development in a bid to reach a regular importance in Chelsea's team in years to come.

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