Versatile Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso is reportedly ready to block a departure from the Catalan club in the January transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Marcos Alonso faces an uncertain future at FC Barcelona. However, the versatile defender does not want to leave the Catalan club in the January transfer window. So, he will look to block a departure, aiming to stay put until the end of the season.
Marcos Alonso returned to Spain last year after over a decade away from his homeland. The 32-year-old is a graduate of Real Madrid’s fabled youth division but never established a foothold at the Santiago Bernabeu. Spells at Bolton Wanderers and Fiorentina helped him rise in prominence before he joined Chelsea.
The Spaniard was a divisive figure during his six-year stay at Stamford Bridge. But he was a solid performer for Chelsea before he left the West London club as a free agent last year. Barcelona snapped him up on a free transfer on Deadline Day in the 2022 summer transfer window.
Alonso has not been a regular for Barcelona since arriving on a free transfer last year. But his versatility has made him an asset for the Blaugrana, as he has reprised every role in the backline. However, his stock has fallen in the early days of the new campaign, managing only 159 minutes of game time thus far.
Meanwhile, Alonso’s contract is expiring, and he will enter the final six months of his deal in January. So, the winter transfer window will be Barcelona’s last opportunity to cash in the Spanish defender. The situation has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of clubs in the Premier League, including Aston Villa.
Manchester United also wanted to secure Alonso’s services in the summer transfer window. But Xavi Hernandez blocked a late departure for the 32-year-old versatile defender. Alonso did not want to leave Barcelona either, and his stance remains the same heading into the January transfer window.
The Spaniard wants to see out the rest of the 2023/24 campaign before making a decision on his future. Meanwhile, recent reports have linked Barcelona with several left-backs, including Ian Maatsen. So, Alonso’s time at the Catalan club is slowly coming to an end.
