Romano confirms Barcelona’s interest in 31-year-old Chelsea ace

Transfer News: Barcelona have their eyes set on Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso

According to @postunited as relayed transfer Expert Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso is now on the transfer radar of Barcelona. 

Without Alonso’s services in this campaign, Chelsea would have found themselves in a terrible situation. After the injury to Ben Chilwell, the Spaniard was the only recognized left-back available in the team.

The 31-year-old has bagged four goals and five assists in 41 appearances across all competitions in this campaign. And that shows how much Thomas Tuchel has relied on the former Fiorentina man.

However, the Blues probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy much of the Spaniard’s services as Barcelona are interested in securing his signature. The Blaugrana have three to four options in their mind, including the Chelsea full-back.

Alonso’s current contract is set to end in 2023. That means if he does not put pen to paper on a new deal before the end of this calendar year, he would be free to negotiate a move with foreign clubs.

Will Marcos Alonso leave Chelsea?

Since joining our club in 2016 from La Viola, Alonso has been a loyal servant to the team for several years- from Antonio Conte to Frank Lampard and now Tuchel, the Spaniard has played under a number of managers at the Bridge. Even though he no longer remains our primary full-back, he has given impressive performances when called upon.

Alonso is 31 and may well be on the wane when it comes to playing at the very top level. Ben Chilwell was Tuchel’s go-to man down the left-hand side before his injury against Juventus in November 2021, and it is unlikely to change next season.

Considering the problems that the manager faced after Chilwell’s injury, we require a quality backup option. And that is one reason why the club would be wise to still keep him.

We already lack a young, dependable backup option for Reece James. It would be foolish of us if we weaken our left flank as well- assuming that the club sells Alonso and brings no one in down that side.

More Chelsea News

• Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has not yet ruled out a late takeover offer from Jim Ratcliffe.
• Barcelona could make a move for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku
• Transfer News: Contract standoffs might cost Chelsea youngsters like Reece James and Mason Mount

As for Barca’s interest, it seems that La Liga clubs are after our defenders this summer. Antonio Rudiger is supposedly already close to a free transfer to Real Madrid while both Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta have been linked with a move to Barca in recent times.