The Hard Tackle lists three players Barcelona should target as alternatives for Marcos Alonso, who Chelsea might not sell this summer.
The 2022 summer transfer window has been glorious and memorable for Barcelona, with several top-class players arriving at Camp Nou well ahead of the start of the 2022/23 season. The Catalan giants have impressively activated their economic levers to address the financial instability while boosting their transfer budget.
That has helped Barcelona land Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde while ruffling the features of several European bigwigs. But they are not done yet, as Xavi Hernandez wants a new right-back and a left-back to complete his squad heading into the 2022/23 season.
Chelsea and Barcelona have traded many blows this summer, including for mutual transfer targets. And the Catalan giants want to raid the west London club for two Spanish defenders – Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso – to bolster the full-back department in the ongoing window.
But recent reports have claimed that a disgruntled Chelsea might block Barcelona from signing Alonso, compelling the Blaugrana to scour the market for alternatives. And with that in mind, The Hard Tackle lists three defenders who could be viable alternatives to Marcos Alonso for Barcelona.
Sergio Reguilon
The first name on our list might shock a few people, considering his allegiance to Real Madrid. This left-back rose through the ranks at La Fabrica before making his first-team debut for Real Madrid a few years ago. We are talking about Sergio Reguilon.
The Tottenham Hotspur defender features prominently on Barcelona’s wishlist, with recent reports claiming Barcelona might offer a swap deal to sign the former Real Madrid man. And while Reguilon has a history with Real Madrid, he also needs to get his career back on track.
The Spanish international is surplus to requirements at Tottenham, with Antonio Conte preferring Ryan Sessegnon and summer signing Ivan Perisic to him. Reguilon thus needs to sort out his future quickly to stabilise his career while hoping to stake a claim for a berth in Luis Enrique’s Spain squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
While the former Real Madrid defender has struggled to settle down at Tottenham, he has previous experience in La Liga and excelled at Sevilla, making him an attractive target. And with Real Madrid uninterested in re-signing Reguilon, Barcelona will only have to compete with Sevilla and Inter Milan for his signature.
Javi Galan
From a player who might be a controversial signing due to his previous affiliation to Real Madrid to someone who tends to go under the radar. While a move for Reguilon might attract many eyeballs, signing this candidate might help Barcelona address the problems in the left-back slot efficiently. This player is Javi Galan.
The 27-year-old is a seasoned professional who has slowly risen up the ladder in Spanish football before becoming a household name in his homeland. Galan first made his name during his stint with SD Huesca, standing out in a difficult campaign for the Aragonese club before earning a move to Celta Vigo.
The Spaniard has continued to go from strength to strength at Celta Vigo and now has enough experience in La Liga to be a viable contender to bolster the Barcelona squad. And Galan will not be a costly acquisition, with Celta Vigo demanding €18 million to part ways with him.
While Galan might not have the numbers to prove that he can challenge Jordi Alba as an attacking full-back, he has a mean cross in his arsenal and likes to progress forward with efficient dribbles. In addition, Galan is also solid at the back, potentially making him an alternative to the veteran Barcelona defender.
Marc Cucurella
The third candidate might be somewhat left of centre, considering he has previously failed to establish a foothold at FC Barcelona. But pursuing Marc Cucurella might leave Barcelona in another collision course with Chelsea, who might be getting sick and tired of the Blaugrana by now.
Cucurella has risen in stature exponentially since leaving Barcelona. Like Sergio Reguilon and Javi Galan, the Spaniard also has enough experience in La Liga to potentially settle down quickly if he returns to Camp Nou in the summer transfer window, having been a solid customer for SD Eibar and Getafe.
The 23-year-old has made even more rapid progress at Brighton & Hove Albion, ending 2021/22 as the club’s Player of the Year. But the Seagulls are demanding a pricey sum for Cucurella, which might set Barcelona back if the transfer budget is wearing thin after the recent acquisitions.
However, Cucurella will likely demand a fraction of the wages that Marcos Alonso might pocket, thus making him an attractive target for Barcelona. But with Chelsea moving quickly to secure his services, Barcelona will have to be decisive in the race to sign the former La Masia ace before the Blues strike gold.
