Chelsea reach agreement to sign Barcelona star

According to confirmed reports from Spain, Chelsea and Barcelona are ‘close to reaching a transfer agreement’ for defender Marcos Alonso to move to the Nou Camp this summer.

Sport has claimed that Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has given his approval to make the deal happen.

The transfer structure is expected to be wrapped up next week and an asking price agreed on.

Chelsea are currently looking for a figure around €10m for the defender, a figure which should be ‘fixed’ at next week’s meeting, with Barcelona looking to snap up the deal as soon as possible.

Barcelona Marcos Alonso to be a part of their tour of the United States, having been approved as a potential addition by Xavi and his team for months.

A deal for Cesar Azpilicueta who is expected to leave Chelsea for Barcelona has however not been agreed.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to miss out on a top target, Raphinha, who prefers a move to Barcelona.

Chelsea had reached an agreement with Leeds United for the Brazilian star, but Raphinha is yet to agree personal terms with Chelsea.

ESPN claims Raphinha would even prefer to remain at Elland Road in the short term and hope that Barcelona’s financial situation resolves itself once the winter window opens.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed Raphinha wants to join Barca, and he also confirmed Chelsea’s interest.