Azpi signed a new contract with Chelsea !!
Looks like the cheeky bar steward was just using us !!
Great news! Even though he'd be useful for a couple of years, I was never really that invested in us getting either Azpi or Alonso (hopefully we don't get the latter either, although I suspect we unfortunately will, especially after Chelsea signed Cucu). We can actually go out and sign a proper RB for the now and for the future (not a stop gap, which is all that Azpi was anyway), either this or next summer. Same goes for LB. Considering both Araujo and Kounde can play there, we can postpone the RB chase until next summer, and just give Dest one last chance this season. And honestly after that preseason, I'd do the same at LB and just give Balde a real shot as Alba's understudy this season. And there's always the option of going 3 atb, which I suspect Xavi will use quite often this season.
We don't need stop gaps, we need proper long term starting full backs, and with the cover that we still have for now, plus the fact we've already spent so much this summer, it might be better to just wait for next summer and see what's out there then, if we decide to sell Dest, while Balde can stay either way. So a new RB, LB, CDM and possibly a new GK next summer. While on the wings and on CB, hopefully we're covered for at least 5 years after this summer.
Roberto and Alba hopefully both gone next summer along with Busquets and Pique (and possibly Ter Stegen as well).