Chelsea transfer news: Marcos Alonso wanted by Barcelona as long-term replacement for Gerard Pique
Blues are expected to try and fight off any interest in the Spanish international as the La Liga giants reportedly begin to circle
BARCELONA are reportedly considering a swoop to sign Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso.
Nou Camp chiefs want the 27-year-old to be the long-term replacement for Gerard Pique.
The World Cup winner and former Manchester United star will turn 32 next February.
And claim that the La Liga giants have identified the versatile Spaniard as the man to fill his boots.
Pique still has plenty to offer, but Barca know their ageing squad needs some work and are already looking to inject some younger men into the fold.
Alonso has not played as a centre-back for Chelsea and usually operates at wing-back under Antonio Conte.
But he does have experience of playing there for his previous club Fiorentina.
The star has become a big hit with Blues fans since Conte brought him to Stamford Bridge in August 2016 for £23million.
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He helped the West London side to win the Premier League title in his first season.
Despite their dreadful defence this campaign, his performances have still warned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
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And it is not only his defensive capabilities that have caught the eye of Barcelona.
Alonso has demonstrated his superb set-piece abilities on numerous occasions and also his eye for goal bagging 13 times.
That combination has made the La Liga leaders interested observers of the ace – despite his previous connections with Real Madrid.
Although a potential move to the Catalan giants would see him follow in the footsteps of his father, who was on the books of Barca in the 1980s.
Whether Chelsea would be prepared to sell Alonso is another matter.
The report claims that they will resist all approaches for him and will instead try to secure his future by offering him a bumper new deal, despite him still being under contract until 2021.
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