Barcelona defender set to join La Liga rivals

Reports are insinuating that Barcelona could lose an experienced defender to one of their La Liga rivals as defender Marcos Alonso is eyeing a summer exit from the Blaugrana.

Alonso joined Barcelona from Chelsea in 2022 and made 24 appearances, a key part of the team that won the La Liga. However, since then, the 33-year-old has dropped down the pecking order at the Catalan giants.

Aside from the coach’s choice, injury did not help his cause. He has made just four starts and three substitute appearances in all competitions this season, with his last outing coming in November.

The Spaniard will be out of contract at the end of the season, and Barcelona sees him as one of the easy ways to reduce the wage bill and sort out financial problems at the club. Meanwhile, negotiations are at an advanced stage between Alonso and Atletico Madrid.

Another defender, Mario Hermoso, is set to depart the club for free in the summer, and Marcos Alonso is a suitable addition, especially with 33-year-old center-back Stefan Savic linked with a potential exit from Wanda Metropolitano.

If the deal goes through, it will be a return home for Alonso, who is familiar with the City where he the early days of his professional career at Real Madrid. 

Meanwhile, it’s not certain what and who Barcelona will bring in to maintain squad depth, but for sure, the Catalonians will be looking for replacements for the managerial position that Xavi will leave vacant.

While a lot of names have been brandished around the Barcelona coaching position, another name that has stepped up is the Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola.

Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, once named Iraola one of the top coaches in the world while speaking about it.

“We haven’t made any moves. Of course, I like Luis Enrique, but he is a coach that I have not worked with. However, it is evident that he is a reference at all levels. He is a top coach. Guardiola and Klopp are the top, but they are not available. Arsenal’s Arteta, Iraola, [Sergio] Conceicao…there are many.” Deco said.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu