Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso is on the verge of returning to La Liga, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has after a 1-0 victory over Everton in their Premier League opener.
The Spaniard was left out of the squad for Saturday’s game at his request, and with Marc Cucurella’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, the 31-year-old is set on the verge of joining Barcelona. Cucurella made his club debut against the Toffees, and Tuchel confirmed after the game that Alonso had agreed to leave.
“He tries to leave and we agreed to this wish and that’s why it would not have made sense to put him on the pitch today. He would have been on the pitch otherwise but I think in this situation it was the right thing to do,”
Tuchel said after the game, per Goal.
Barcelona were linked with a double swoop for Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Alonso earlier this month. However, Azpilicueta has since agreed to a two-year extension at Stamford Bridge, but La Blaugrana remain determined to sign Alonso.
The former AFC Fiorentina player, however, is said to have turned down a contract extension offer to stay in London, with his current deal set to expire in 2023. He joined Chelsea in August 2016 and went on to appear in 154 games for the club. Alonso also won several trophies with the club, including the Premier League and the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong could be on his way from Barcelona to Chelsea. Tuchel has identified the Dutchman as a key transfer target, and he is available for a move this summer. Chelsea reportedly offered 59 million pounds plus Alonso for the midfielder.
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Alonso is expected to sign a contract in Catalonia until 2024, but the club is working to ensure that their summer signings are registered before the season begins next week.
