Chelsea could receive a £10.8million transfer windfall for an out-of-favour defender this summer.
Marcos Alonso, who has been with the Blues since signing from Fiorentina in 2016, is attracting interest from Spanish giants Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Alonso has two years remaining on his existing contract at Stamford Bridge and could be looking for a move this summer after falling out of favour following Ben Chilwell's arrival last year.
The 30-year-old made just 13 appearances in the Premier League throughout the 2020/21 campaign for Chelsea, with 11 of them being from the start and two from the substitutes bench.
The report from Spain claims that Barca's interest in Alonso is not new. The La Liga club 'already reached an agreement with him' in January to move on loan until the end of the season, but Junior stayed at the Nou Camp, meaning a temporary move for the Blues defender could not be finalised.
However, Junior is expected to leave Barca this summer and the club are expected to reignite their interest in the Spanish left-back, who is valued at £10.8m on Transfermarkt.
Despite not featuring too frequently under Frank Lampard or Thomas Tuchel last season, Alonso did come up with the decisive goal in the 2-1 win against Manchester City in May.
The Real Madrid academy graduate then opened up on a "tough season" for him personally after scoring the match-winner at the Etihad Stadium.
“I’m very happy, especially because it’s been a tough season,” Alonso told the Chelsea's official website.
“I do my best every time I play to put pressure on the manager and try to play more. That’s what I want and I think every time I play I’ve done well, so that’s what I need to keep doing.
“With the goal, it was very emotional and I’m very happy for that.”
If Alonso does move on, it might not have too much of an impact on the Blues - who already have Chilwell and Emerson Palmieri as left-back options.
But, like Alonso, Emerson is being heavily linked with a departure from west London, meaning Tuchel may be reluctant to let both of his left-backs leave the club in the same transfer window.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are actively targeting a new striker this summer as Tuchel looks to put his own stamp on his Champions League-winning squad and mount a serious title challenge next season.
