Marcos Alonso has reportedly turned down the chance to join Atletico Madrid from Chelsea as he is eager to move to Barcelona this summer.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Marcos Alonso rejected Atletico Madrid before Los Rojiblancos zeroed in on Sergio Reguilon as their left-back reinforcement. The Chelsea defender is keen on joining Barcelona before the summer transfer window shuts down.
Marcos Alonso has been a divisive figure among Chelsea fans since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Fiorentina half a dozen years ago. The Spanish international has blown hot and cold but delivered the goods, more often than not, in the final third.
The 31-year-old has turned out over 200 times for Chelsea while amassing 29 goals and 23 assists in the last six years. But Alonso does not have a future at Chelsea following Marc Cucurella’s arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion. In addition, he wants to leave the west London club anyway as he has his heart set on joining Barcelona.
The Spanish full-back has previously revealed his desire to return to Spain, and the interest from Barcelona helped him make his mind up about his next destination. But even though Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Alonso is trying to complete his summer departure from Chelsea to join Barcelona, the move has stalled in the last couple of weeks.
Recent reports had even claimed that Barcelona had cooled interest in the 31-year-old. However, that has not stopped Alonso from longing for the move to Barcelona, with the Chelsea defender rejecting Atletico Madrid’s advances to ensure he gets to join the Blaugrana before the summer transfer window shuts down.
Like Barcelona, Atletico Madrid entered the summer transfer window searching for a left-back amid uncertainties surrounding Renan Lodi’s future. The Brazilian defender joined Nottingham Forest a few days ago, and Alonso had emerged as a viable target. But with the Spaniard turning down the chance to move to the Wanda Metropolitano, Atletico Madrid set sights on Sergio Reguilon.
Also Read: Three Marcos Alonso alternatives for Barcelona
The former Real Madrid defender is on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid while Alonso waits for Barcelona’s approach. It will be interesting to see if the Catalan giants finalise a move for the Chelsea defender, especially with Alejandro Balde’s stock rising in the early days of the 2022/23 season.
