Marseille have rejected a £6 million ($9.4 million) bid from Chelsea for Spanish international right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, according to several reports in Spain.
Roberto Di Matteo has made a rightback signing one of his priorities after releasing Jose Bosingwa at the end of last season. After reportedly deciding against signing Brazilian Maicon, the Italian has turned his attentions to Azpilicueta.
The 22-year-old, who is a part of Spain's squad which got knocked out of the London Olympics after two-straight losses, has admitted he is aware of interest from the Blues, saying he was flattered.
The French club had also disclosed they might have to sell the likes of Azpilicueta, in order to generate funds to bring in new players, but are holding out for at least £8 million ($12.5 million).
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay revealed there would be more new signings, and with the players that Chelsea have already bought into the club, the reported amount should not be a problem, as the arrival of Azpilicueta will add another youngster to the ever-increasing youthful squad.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard said he is looking forward to linking up with younger brother Thorgan, who signed for the club last week. The older brother signed for the Blues in a £32 million ($50.3 million) deal and elaborated on his younger sibling's playing style.
"My brother is not the same as me because he is not someone who dribbles a lot," Hazard told Chelsea's official website.
"He is more someone who has a passing game in midfield. He can play on the wings also but his best position is in central midfield, a number 10.
"Despite both of us having been at Tubize, we have never played in the same team, so I hope I can play soon alongside my brother in the national team and also for Chelsea."
Soccer runs in the Hazard family, with the duo's father and mother both former players.
"I had my father as a coach for one year and he also followed me after that but not as a coach, more as a fan," Hazard said. "It was really after the game that he was talking, saying what was good about my game and what wasn't."
Hazard also has two more younger brothers plying their trade in youth teams. "One plays in the youth team at Lille and the other plays in Belgium, but he is still very young, he is enjoying football for the first time so we shall see," Hazard said.
So who does he think the best player will be once all their careers are over? "We will see at the end of our careers," Hazard said with a smile. "We will see who has won the most trophies."
