Barcelona ‘optimistic of closing out £7m deal for Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso’

Barcelona are reportedly optimistic that they can make Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso their sixth signing of the summer. 

The big-spending Catalan giants, who have already forked out nearly £140million this summer, have been linked with the Spanish full-back since the transfer window opened.

Alonso is keen on the move, and Spanish publication Sport, have claimed Barcelona are confident of getting the deal across the line this summer.

Barcelona hope to complete a deal for Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso this summer

The player’s agent, Fali Ramadani, is said to have met up with the club’s director of football, Mateu Alemany, to try and iron out the details behind the deal.

Alonso, who has spent six seasons at Stamford Bridge, would sign a three-year contract to move to the Nou Camp.

Due to Barcelona’s financial predicament, Alonso would likely have to accept less than the £100,000-per-week salary he is currently on at Stamford Bridge. 

Xavi is hoping to bring Alonso in to create competition with Barcelona stalwart Jordi Alba in the coming season.

Alonso is keen on making the move after spending six seasons at Stamford Bridge

Xavi believes it would be beneficiary to have Alonso to offer a challenge to Jordi Alba

Barcelona hope to get the deal for around £7m, however one stumbling block they face is that the Premier League side hope to get more for the Spaniard. 

Chelsea meanwhile are closing in on a deal for Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella worth around £52.5m.

Brighton came out on Wednesday to deny rumours that an agreement had been reached for the 24-year-old.  

A medical is booked for Thursday and Cucurella is poised to sign a six-year contract.

The club’s director of football Mateu Alemany has met with the player’s agent

Barcelona have signed five players including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha this summer

Brighton in a statement on Twitter wrote: ‘Contrary to inaccurate reports from numerous media outlets this evening, no agreement has been reached with any club to sell Marc Cucurella.’

The clubs held off official agreement as talks are ongoing over Levi Colwill heading in the opposite direction, either on a loan or permanent deal and with a buy-back option.

Cucurella’s move to Stamford Bridge could speed up the process for Alonso to make the switch to the Nou Camp, with managers of both clubs happy for him to make the move. 

So far this summer, Barcelona have already signed Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.