Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso is reportedly ready to join Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid in the summer, after being snubbed for the Europa League final.
According to a report from Spanish publication MARCA, Premier League giants Chelsea could be set to lose left-back Marcos Alonso in the summer transfer window, after the Spaniard has agreed a transfer to La Liga runners-up Atletico Madrid.
The 28-year-old Alonso came through the youth ranks at Atletico’s local rivals Real Madrid, but could never make the grade to the first-team and left the Merengues in 2010, joining Bolton Wanderers. The left-back then went on to feature for Fiorentina and Sunderland (loan), before joining Chelsea on the summer transfer deadline day in 2016.
Alonso has been the first-choice at left-back for Chelsea for large parts of his spell with the club. But, towards the end of the 2018-19 campaign, the 28-year-old saw his game time take a major hit, with manager Maurizio Sarri opting to use Emerson Palmieri on a more regular basis.
The three-time capped Spanish international ended the 2018-19 campaign with 39 appearances under his belt in all competitions, contributing with 4 goals and 7 assists. But, he was overlooked by Sarri for the UEFA Europa League final against Arsenal in favour of Emerson earlier this week, which Chelsea won comfortably 4-1.
This has played a major role in Alonso deciding that his future lies away from Chelsea and he has agreed to join Atletico in the summer, as per the report. The 28-year-old had emerged as a key transfer target for Los Rojiblancos heading into the transfer window, as they look to beef up their options at the left-back slot.
Atletico have already lost World Cup winning defender Lucas Hernandez, who has agreed to join German champions Bayern Munich this summer, while seasoned campaigner Filipe Luis will be out of contract at the end of June. That would leave Diego Simeone’s side without a recognized left-back heading into next season, leading to their pursuit of Alonso.
The report adds that Atleti have been in contact with Alonso for the past couple of months and the 28-year-old has finally given the green light for the transfer. However, the La Liga runners-up are yet to agree a transfer fee with Chelsea, which could prove to be a huge stumbling block.
Chelsea have been hit with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA for the breach of rules in signing underage players. Their initial appeal has been overturned by the governing body, following which they intend to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in order to get a six-month freeze for their transfer ban, which would enable them to sign players this summer.
However, should that also be rejected, Chelsea will want to hold on to their current players as they will be unable to bring in any replacements. This would hurt Atletico Madrid’s chances of signing Alonso. The left-back might be keen on a switch, but a transfer would hinge on Chelsea being able to sign new players.
