Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta “remains in the dark” about the Blues’ plans to offer him a contract extension, according to Eurosport.

The Spanish international’s current deal expires at the end of the season but it appears that his future is yet to be sorted out, despite the fact that he will be able to speak to foreign clubs about a free transfer within weeks.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both believed to be monitoring Azpilicueta’s situation, with the 32-year-old said to be weighing up his options just in case he is forced to leave Stamford Bridge.

Eurosport claim that some of the defender’s teammates have been left “bewildered” by Chelsea’s lack of urgency in trying to tie the club’s talisman down to a new contract.

With Antonio Rudiger almost certain to leave and, with Andreas Christensen also involved in a contract dispute, some first-team players feel that keeping Azpilicueta for another year is a no-brainer. The Blues’ hierarchy seem to think otherwise.