It’s a turbulent end to the summer transfer window for FC Barcelona. To strengthen the left side of its defence, FC Barcelona fought for a long time during this transfer window to bring competition to the usual holder Jordi Alba, yet outstripped by Alejandro Baldé at the start of the season (twice in the eleven of departure since the start of the season in La Liga). And the lucky winner is none other than the Spanish side Marcos Alonso, from Chelsea.
“FC Barcelona and Marcos Alonso have reached an agreement for the player to join the Catalan club. The defender has terminated his contract with Chelsea. Alonso will sign a contract until June 30, 2023, with a release clause amounting to 50 million euros. Barça will soon announce the program for the presentation of Marcos Alonso as a new Blaugrana player”can we read in particular in the press release from the Blaugrana club.
A transfer that took time
Because yes, certainly Marcos Alonso is now a new FC Barcelona player, but his arrival had been under discussion for several weeks already. First having to sign with his compatriot for the Blues Cesar Azpilicueta, the latter had finally extended his contract for an additional season, he who was expected to strengthen the right lane of defense. Then, Barca and Chelsea attempted to complete a swap deal that included the Spaniard and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arrived in London from Fiorentina against 23 million euros in the summer of 2016, Marcos Alonso quickly imposed himself on the left flank of the Blues rearguard, despite coaching changes in six seasons ( Conte, Sarri, Lampard and Tuchel). In the blue jersey, he will have played 212 games for 29 achievements and 23 assists. During his adventure with the residents of Stamford Bridge, he notably won two national cups (FA Cup and League Cup), the 2021 Champions League, followed by the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup between 2021 and 2022.
