Transfer Talk: Barca-bound Alonso bids farewell to the Blues

Marcos Alonso has reportedly said his goodbyes to Chelsea team-mates as his move to Barcelona nears completion.

The Blues signed Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella in a £62million deal on Friday, with the 24-year-old expected to go straight into Thomas Tuchel’s side for today’s trip to Everton.

That deal has subsequently opened the door for Alonso, 31, to bring his six-year Stamford Bridge stay to a close and join Xavi’s new-look Blaugrana outfit back in his homeland.

The Mail claim the nine-cap La Roja international bid farewell to players and staff at the Blues’ Cobham training ground on Friday, in the hope of finalising the switch this weekend.

It is understood that Alonso — who progressed through the youth system of Barca’s fierce rivals Real Madrid — will sign a two-year contract at Camp Nou.

Concerns still remain over the Catalonians’ financial situation however, with LaLiga officials warning on Friday that new players cannot be registered until further cuts have been made.

The report suggests another £126m needs to be trimmed from their budget to comply with financial guidelines.

As a result, the sale of Frenkie de Jong is expected to progress rapidly in the next seven days, with the Blues keen admirers of the Dutch international alongside Manchester United.

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta was also expected to join Barca this summer but ended speculation over his future by signing a two-year extension in West London on Thursday.

In other news

Everton are poised to beat West Ham to the signing of Lille’s 20-year-old Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana, according to the Mirror.

If Chelsea are to complete a deal for Leicester’s Wesley Fofana, the Telegraph say they will have to break the £80m record fee paid for a defender.

The Sun say Leeds are plotting a £22m move for 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, who has been on loan at Lens for the past two years.