Chelsea and Barcelona are reportedly in discussions to finalise details of Marcos Alonso’s move to the Catalan giants.
According to Radio MARCA, as reported by SPORT, Chelsea and Barcelona are in advanced negotiations over a summer transfer for left-back Marcos Alonso. The Spanish full-back, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Blues, looks set to join Barcelona in the coming weeks.
Alonso has reportedly agreed on personal terms with the Blaugrana and is set to sign a three-year deal. The 31-year-old is yet to join the Chelsea squad ahead of the pre-season and hopes the deal goes through quickly so he does not have to return to Cobham.
The full-back has been with the Blues since joining them from Fiorentina in the 2016 summer transfer window. Alonso remained their first-choice left-back for three seasons before Emerson Palmieri’s arrival and fitness issues had him drop down the pecking order.
Alonso is adept at going forward and has even scored 29 goals for Chelsea, but his defensive shortcoming have often cost the side. To fix the issue, the Blues signed Ben Chilwell from Leicester City in the 2020 summer transfer window, with the Englishman their first-choice left-back since.
Alonso did get many more opportunities in the recently-concluded season than in the preceding two as a ruptured cruciate ligament ruled Chilwell out for the better part of the term. The Spaniard made 46 appearances for Chelsea across competitions, scoring five times and assisting six goals.
But with Alonso entering the final year of his contract, rumours of a possible summer exit started making rounds. Barcelona have emerged as a potential destination, and the Blaugrana have acted fast to agree on personal terms with the player.
The Catalan giants are hoping that the deal can be completed for around €10 million. Xavi Hernandez sees Alonso as an able competition for Jordi Alba and could make him their third signing of the summer. Tuchel, too, has given the green light for Alonso’s exit as he has multiple options for the left-back spot.
Barcelona have also been linked with Cesar Azpilicueta, but Chelsea’s asking price has stalled discussions so far. Xavi, however, is keen to get the Blues captain on board as well after having signed Andreas Christensen from the London outfit.
