The deal to take Marcos Alonso from Chelsea to Barcelona is very nearly done, with the Spaniard returning to his home country for under £9m.
The 31-year-old is leaving Stamford Bridge after six successful years at the club, during which he won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, making 212 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.
With a year left on his contract in west London, Alonso has decided he wants to leave for Barcelona and Chelsea have accepted his demands.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the negotiations between the clubs is at the final stages and Barca will get their man for less than €10m (£8.4m) this week.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Alonso is set for the exit door after he was left out of the squad that won at Everton in the Blues’ opening game of the Premier League season.
‘He tries to leave and we agreed to this wish, and that’s why it would have never made sense to have him on the pitch today,’ Tuchel said on Saturday.
‘He would’ve been on the pitch otherwise. In this situation it’s the right thing to do.’
Chelsea have already signed a replacement for Alonso at left wing-back, spending over £60m on Marc Cucurella from Brighton, while they also have England international Ben Chilwell who started against Everton.
Asked about Cucurella’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, Chilwell said: ‘We’re at Chelsea so there’s going to be a lot of good players here.
‘Competition for places is going to be fierce and obviously we’re going to push each other the same as everyone else in the team.’
The Blues are back in action on Sunday at Stamford Bridge when they host Tottenham in a huge London derby early in the season.
MORE : Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hints at Wesley Fofana signing as he outlines what he wants from new centre-back
MORE : Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi in talks with Borussia Dortmund over loan deal
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
