Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea transfer news: Marcos Alonso exit almost agreed, as Spaniard says goodbye to staff ahead of move despite potential delay

Marcos Alonso, Chelsea, May 2022.

Marcos Alonso is set to move on from Chelsea pretty quickly after the arrival of Marc Cucurella, according to reports suggesting his transfer to Barcelona is close after all.

Alonso has been looking for a way out of Chelsea this summer. Despite featuring in a decent proportion of games last season, it was largely because of an injury to Ben Chilwell. Were he to stay at Stamford Bridge, he would likely be behind a fit version of Chilwell in the pecking order.

In addition, Chelsea have completed the signing of Cucurella from Brighton. Thomas Tuchel plans to use him either as a left wing-back or a left-sided centre-back.

It means there is no longer much room for Alonso at Stamford Bridge. One year before the end of his contract, an exit makes sense this summer.

In that regard, there have been plenty of rumours reflecting interest from Barcelona. It has been a long time since Alonso played club football in La Liga, but he could now add to the one appearance he made in Spanish football with Real Madrid.

He would be doing so, though, with their El Clasico rivals. At Barcelona, Alonso will be competing for a place with Jordi Alba.

And it now seems a case of will, rather than would. According to Sport, an agreement is close for Alonso to join Barcelona now Cucurella has arrived at Chelsea.

The report indicates the deal will not go through until after Barcelona’s first match in La Liga. They are due to open their campaign against Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou on August 13.

In the meantime, Barcelona will focus on registering their earlier summer signings, including former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, and omitting their unwanted options.

Then, they will be able to take the 31-year-old Alonso. It will be for a transfer fee reportedly lower than €10million (£8.4million or below).

The Spaniard is in line to sign a contract for two seasons, with the option of a third year.

Imminent Marcos Alonso departure makes sense

Mundo Deportivo have added that Alonso has said goodbye to Chelsea staff already on Friday. They predict he could travel to Spain over the weekend.

Hence, it looks like Barcelona are about to do what they failed to when it came to Cesar Azpilicueta, by signing a full-back from Chelsea.

There had been a feeling that the Blues may stand in Barcelona’s way for both, after the Catalan club hijacked their pursuit of Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, but common sense seems to have prevailed for Alonso.

It was quite evident his priority was to join Barcelona, while Chelsea had no place for him. Keeping an unhappy player would not have been beneficial, so a new adventure is awaiting Alonso away from Stamford Bridge.

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