Barcelona are reportedly facing a roadblock in their pursuit of Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso due to the Blues’ transfer fee demands.
According to El Chiringuito, Barcelona’s pursuit of Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso has gotten complicated due to the transfer fee that the Premier League club are demanding for the Spaniard.
Marcos Alonso has entered the final year of his contract with Chelsea this summer and has made his desire public that he wishes to return to Spain. Having spent six years at Stamford Bridge, the left-back is keen on a new challenge and has been pushing to join Barcelona, with the Catalans also intent on signing him up.
Barcelona went through the last season with Jordi Alba as their only senior left-back after selling Junior Firpo to Leeds United. Manager Xavi Hernandez did not utilise youngster Alejandro Balde much due to his lack of experience, and wishes to add a more proven player to his ranks to support and compete with Alba for the left-back slot.
Alonso has been the primary target for Barcelona in the position, with the two parties reaching an agreement over a three-year contract already. However, according to the latest update, the move has now hit a brick wall due to Chelsea’s asking price for the Spanish international.
?? Información @10JoseAlvarez
? El FICHAJE de AZPILICUETA por el BARÇA es cuestión de DÍAS.
⚠️ El TRASPASO de MARCOS ALONSO está estancado por el alto precio que pide el Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/a4z428whRW
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) July 18, 2022
While the update from El Chiringuito does not mention the price tag which has caused the deal to stall, it has been previously claimed that the Blues are demanding around €13 million for Alonso, despite the 31-year-old being in the final year of his contract with the club.
Chelsea and Barcelona have been negotiating with each other over multiple players, with Cesar Azpilicueta also on the agenda for the Blaugrana. While things are said to be moving much more smoothly with regard to Azpilicueta’s move, Alonso’s move has not been progressing as well.
It has forced Barcelona to look at other options, with the Catalans considering Celta Vigo defender Javi Galan and Caio Henrique of AS Monaco as viable alternatives to Alonso. It remains to be seen if the two clubs can reach a breakthrough in talks for the Spaniard or whether the Catalans will have to sign a different player.
