La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly on the brink of signing 31-year-old Spanish full-back Marcos Alonso from Premier League club Chelsea.

Reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that it is only a “matter of time” before Marcos Alonso joins Barcelona in the ongoing transfer window. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has hinted at the 31-year-old full-back’s imminent move to Camp Nou, revealing that the Barcelona target has requested his departure from Stamford Bridge.

Marcos Alonso has been a divisive figure for Chelsea fans since arriving at the Premier League club from Fiorentina in August 2016. The Spaniard has been in and out of the starting lineups at Chelsea throughout his stint with the Blues but has delivered the goods more often than not, especially when reprising an advanced role on the left flank.

The 31-year-old full-back has a solid tally of 29 goals and 23 assists in 211 appearances thus far for Chelsea. But Alonso seems to have a non-existent future at Stamford Bridge after entering the final year of his contract with the west London club. And his next destination appears to be Barcelona.

The Catalan giants have been keen on signing a new left-back in the summer transfer window as Jordi Alba is the only recognised right-back at Xavi Hernandez’s disposal. While Alejandro Balde is a promising left-back, the teenage prospect is yet to establish a foothold in Barcelona’s first-team squad.

If the 2021/22 season gave any indication, it was that Xavi would need another left-back to embark on a succession 2022/23 campaign. Alonso has thus emerged as a viable target for Barcelona, with the 31-year-old Chelsea full-back already agreeing on personal terms with the Blaugrana.

But recent reports had claimed that Chelsea might block Alonso’s move to Barcelona in the aftermath of Jules Kounde’s move to Camp Nou. However, that is not the case, with Alonso on the verge of joining the Catalan club in the coming days.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that the 31-year-old full-back is leaving, although he did not reveal the Spaniard’s next destination. Tuchel said, “Yes, Marcos asked to leave and we agreed to this. It would make no sense to put him on the pitch today.”

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that it is only a “matter of time” before Alonso ends his stint in the Premier League by returning to Spain, with Barcelona confident about securing his services. Meanwhile, Chelsea will not bring in a specific replacement, with the versatile Marc Cucurella already arriving at Stamford Bridge.

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