Barcelona have set their sights on Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso, reports Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Catalan giants are looking to strengthen the left-back position, with Jordi Alba devoid of backup options.
Alonso has been identified as one of the candidates to take the burden off his compatriot, and he could be the second player moving from Stamford Bridge to Camp Nou after Andreas Christensen, who has an agreement over a free transfer with the Catalan giants.
The Spaniard has been one of few stars who benefitted from Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, reviving his career from a fringe figure to a key player in winning the Champions League title last season.
With Ben Chilwell sidelined due to injury, the 31-year-old has sustained his place this term, making 41 appearances in all competitions, netting four goals and five assists.
Alonso’s contract expires in 2023, but his future hinges on Emerson Palmieri, who is on loan at Lyon.
With the Italian being heavily linked with a move to Juventus, Tuchel might opt to keep Alonso next season.
Barca have also identified Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo and Celta Vigo’s Javi Galan as potential left-back targets.
Xavi reiterates De Jong is a player for the future
Frenkie de Jong’s exit rumours have been circulating in recent weeks amid the lack of consistent performances.
The Dutch midfielder hasn’t been at his usual best in Barca’s recent run of struggles, and his substitution against Rayo Vallecano halfway through the game intensified the speculations.
However, Xavi has now opened up about the incident and stressed that the former Ajax star is a player for the future.
Xavi said (h/t Football Espana): “I have said it many times. Frenkie makes the difference and he needs to do so every match. We had a very positive face-to-face chat on an individual level. The change against Rayo frustrated him.
“He’s very self-demanding. He has had excellent games this season. He is capable, he has strength, the capacity to arrive in the box, to score. I told him that.”
“I don’t see many players with his qualities on a global level. He has to transmit that. He is very important for the present and the future.”
Dani Olmo back on Barca’s radar
According to Fichajes, the Catalan giants have reignited their interest in RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo.
The former La Masia star was linked with a return to Camp Nou in the previous windows, but a move never materialised.
However, Barca are willing to go again for him this summer as Xavi sees him as an ideal player to reinforce the attack.
It has been a difficult season for the 23-year-old, whose game time in the Bundesliga has notably reduced since returning from injury, though Domenico Tedesco has started him in all the knockout games of the Europa League.
Nevertheless, Olmo’s talent can never be doubted, as he showed with Leipzig last season and in Euro 2020 for Spain.
He is a versatile attacker and can be deployed as a false 9, winger and an attacking midfielder.
However, with a deal running until 2024, Die Roten Bullen are expected to demand a considerable transfer fee for Olmo, who, according to TransferMarket, is the second most player with a high market value in Leipzig’s squad.
