Transfer News: Chelsea set to lose out on RB Leipzig defender Marcel Halstenberg
According to journalist Mark Behrenbeck of Sky Sports on Twitter (h/t Football.London), Chelsea held concrete talks with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig over the possible signing of Marcel Halstenberg with the Blues trying to reinforce their options in the left-back position.
The German defender joined Leipzig from St Pauli in 2015 and has since then gone on to do a commendable job for the exciting Bundesliga club. Although not a pinned starter due to the presence of Angelino, Halstenberg has been a very important presence down that side.
The 30-year-old defender has played 14 times for the Red Bull club this season scoring a solitary goal and providing no assists. Whilst these numbers really do not inspire confidence, the fact that he had a nasty injury that made him miss most of the season means he could be given the benefit of doubt.
Chelsea were said to be very interested in signing the defender and even held concrete talks with the German club for the same, however it does seem like the player will renew with Leipzig as of now. The extension could see him stay at the club for two more years.
The Alonso replacement?
Ben Chilwell is undoubtedly Chelsea’s first-choice left-back and the Englishman will continue to be so going into next season.
However, with Marcos Alonso could leave the club in the summer, Chelsea will be missing out on a solid defensive option at least for rotation. The Spaniard has had his fair share of critics during his time at Stamford Bridge but there is no denying his value for the Blues.
Often ridiculed for his abilities and being criticised as a player not good enough for the Blues, Alonso has gone about his job quietly and in a competent manner but the Spaniard seems to want to bring the curtains down on his career at Stamford Bridge.
Halstenberg, at 30, did not seem to make much sense for the Blues, at least on paper. However, it must be kept in mind that the German was set to be available on a free transfer in the summer which is why the risk involved would have been minimal.
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It remains to be seen how Chelsea go about replacing Alonso but they surely will have a plan in mind. Halstenberg could have turned out to be a solid option as well. Age can just be a number for many players and if Chilwell anyway hogs game time at the Bridge, Halstenberg could have made for a neat backup.
Like Alonso, he also has the experience to battle for playing time with the Englishman and could have, in turn, kept the former Leicester City star on his toes. But it seems like the Blues will now have to look elsewhere.
