Barcelona are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso this summer, as they await a green light from Thomas Tuchel.
The Spaniard, who has just a year left on his deal at Stamford Bridge, has been heavily linked with a move to La Liga this summer.
Alonso has previously opened up on his future, refusing to complain about his situation in London despite the interest from elsewhere and his intent to return to Spain.
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He said: “On paper, I have a contract for one more year and that is where we’re at today. I’ve already said that I would like to play in Spain again, but it doesn’t depend entirely on me.
"I can’t complain about anything at Chelsea, but the desire to play in Spain is there. It doesn’t depend entirely on me and I’m happy at Chelsea, honestly.”
However, with Chelsea closing in on a deal for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Marc Cucurella, this should free Alonso and allow him to leave the club.
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The Blues are set to announce the signing of Cucurella on Friday, with the player having completed his medical on Thursday, a day after a fee was agreed with Brighton.
He will sign a six-year contract at Chelsea, as per reports, with Thomas Tuchel’s side paying an initial £55 million, with a further £7 million in add-ons.
As part of the deal, Levi Colwill will join the Seagulls on a season-long loan, with no option to buy as the Blues look like they will hold on to a valuable asset in the long-term.
The deal will likely see them lose Alonso now, with the latest reports stating that a move to Barcelona is close for the wing-back.
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According to Fabrizio Romano, a deal for Alonso to join the La Liga side is ‘really close’.
Talks are said to be progressing well after the Blues have all but completed a deal for Cucurella this week.
Alonso has already agreed personal terms over a move to Spain and the deal is close to completion, just days before the start of the Premier League season.
All that stands between the transfer is Chelsea boss Tuchel giving the green light to allow Alonso to leave.
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It remains to be seen whether the German will allow this before Saturday, when Chelsea face Everton at Goodison Park for their first match of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
Emerson Palmieri and Ben Chilwell are also in contention to start at left wing-back, but the pair saw limited minutes in pre-season, with Chilwell returning from a long-term injury and Emerson featuring predominantly in a back three.
Therefore, it remains to be seen as to whether Alonso could make his final appearance, with it unlikely that Cucurella would be thrown into the team at such short notice.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Marcos Alonso, Thomas Tuchel, Barcelona, Transfers, Football
Nick Emms