Former Real Madrid defender and current Chelsea star Marcos Alonso has reportedly emerged as a summer transfer target for Atletico Madrid.
According to a report from Spanish publication AS, Atletico Madrid are plotting a summer raid on Premier League giants Chelsea, for the signing of left-back Marcos Alonso, who happens to be a graduate from the academy of arch rivals Real Madrid.
Alonso came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid, but could never make the grade to the first-team at Santiago Bernabeu and left the club in 2010, joining Bolton Wanderers. The 28-year-old then went on to represent Fiorentina and Sunderland (loan), before joining Chelsea on the summer transfer deadline day in 2016.
Till date, Alonso has racked up 120 appearances for the Premier League outfit, scoring 18 goals and setting up 14 more, winning a Premier League title and an FA Cup in the process. The 2018-19 season though has been a bit of a mixed bag for the Spaniard, with his defensive frailties getting exposed more often than not.
While he did take the field on 39 occasions over the course of the season, manager Maurizio Sarri opted to rotate him heavily with Emerson Palmieri in recent months, casting doubts over his status as the first-choice heading into the next term.
Atletico Madrid are hoping to capitalize on the situation by launching a summer move for the former Real Madrid man. Los Rojiblancos will be without a recognized senior left-back next term as Lucas Hernandez has sealed a summer switch to Bayern Munich, while Filipe Luis will see his contract run out, making it a priority position for Diego Simeone’s side to strengthen in the summer.
And Alonso has emerged as a key target for Atletico. The three-time capped Spanish international has been on the club’s radar previously and has the requisite experience at the top level to be a good addition to their ranks. But, it seems highly improbable that Chelsea would sanction an exit for the 28-year-old former Real Madrid man.
Chelsea handed Alonso a new contract last October, extending his stay at the club till the summer of 2023. Moreover, with the West Londoners being hit with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA, they will be unable to bring in suitable replacements as well. So, all things considered, a summer switch to Atletico for Alonso seems quite far off the mark.
It will be a very important summer transfer window for Los Rojiblancos, who will also be losing star striker Antoine Griezmann. However, as far as their search for a new left-back is considered, they might have to switch their attention from Alonso and look elsewhere.