6 high-profile defenders who could leave their clubs in the summer

#3 Eric Bailly (Manchester United)

Manchester United v BSC Young Boys: Group F - UEFA Champions League

Eric Bailly has all the qualities to become a world-class centre-back. Granted, he has a bit of an erratic streak in him but he is also capable of producing the extraordinary whenever he is on the pitch. However, Bailly is one of the most injury-prone centre-backs we've seen in recent times.

He has spent the majority of his time at Manchester United in the nursing room. Bailly has missed a shade more than 100 games for the club due to injury.

One can't fault the Red Devils for their patience running out by now. Following the arrival of Raphael Varane, Bailly has fallen down the pecking order and is currently out of favor at Old Trafford.

Still only 27-years-old, the Ivory Coast international could look to revive his career at a different club. He is almost certain to be offloaded in the summer. Barcelona have been credited with an interest in Bailly.

#2 Jules Kounde (Sevilla)

Sevilla FC v FC Barcelona - La Liga Santander

Jules Kounde joined Sevilla in 2019. Over the span of two and a half seasons, the Frenchman has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in La Liga. Kounde is a mainstay in the Andalusians' backline and has played a pivotal role in them maintaining the best defensive record in the league this term.

Sevilla have conceded just 18 goals in 26 La Liga matches this season and Kounde has started in 19 of them. He has garnered plenty of interest from several European giants.

As per reliable German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid are interested in the 23-year-old defender. Kounde has previously spoken about his desire to move on and join a bigger club to win trophies.

In the summer of 2021, Kounde said (via Daily Mail):

"I may have to change clubs this summer. I have not decided anything. My goal is, one day, to evolve into a great club to always try to progress, win trophies. To be able to start the season each year by telling yourself that the goal is win a particular trophy. I might have to move, but that's not relevant today."

#1 Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - Premier League

Antonio Rudiger had been reduced to a peripheral figure at Chelsea under Frank Lampard. Thomas Tuchel's arrival breathed new life into his Stamford Bridge career and the German international has been one of their most important players under the new coach.

Unfortunately for Chelsea, Rudiger has entered the final few months of his contract with Chelsea. As things stand, he is set to leave the club in the summer as a free agent.

The Blues are reportedly making an attempt to extend the German international's contract but we haven't heard anything about a breakthrough just yet. Given the way he's performed over the past year and a half, Rudiger will have plenty of teams ready to welcome him with open arms this summer.

Cesar Azpilicueta is a bonafide Chelsea legend. He has won nearly every possible trophy with Chelsea except the Community Shield over the course of his 10-year stint with the club. But the Spaniard is now 32 and is unlikely to extend his contract with Chelsea.

Daily Mail claims that Chelsea are only interested in giving him a short-term contract as he is now past his prime. As a result, Azpilicueta is looking at other options and has been heavily linked with Barcelona, who are reportedly offering him a longer contract.