Azpilicueta had earlier this month reached a personal agreement with Inter and was anticipated to leave Chelsea on a free transfer to Italy. Chelsea wanted to thank the Spaniard for his 11 years of service by giving him the freedom to choose his own destiny.
Atletico, though, has now entered the discussion with a proposal to return Azpilicueta to his own country.
Since a move back to Spain is thought to appeal to Azpilicueta and his family, Atletico are now predicted to sign the 33-year-old.
Since Matt Doherty, a former Tottenham right-back, was released by Atletico this summer, there is an evident opening in Diego Simeone's defence that Azpilicueta will fill.
Azpilicueta had earlier this month reached a personal agreement with Inter and was anticipated to leave Chelsea on a free transfer to Italy. Chelsea wanted to thank the Spaniard for his 11 years of service by giving him the freedom to choose his own destiny.
Chelsea signed 20-year-old Malo Gusto from Lyon for £30 million in January as part of a deal to be ready for Azpilicueta's departure.
Reece James will have competition from Gusto at right-back, and Levi Colwill's return will make Chelsea's center-back position stronger.
Trevoh Chalobah, who is also being pursued by Inter, is still up in the air, and decisions still need to be made on the futures of Conor Gallagher, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Romelu Lukaku, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
