Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'told to pay €25m for Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 03 August 2022

Barcelona 'told to pay €25m for Azpilicueta, Alonso'

Barcelona are reportedly told by Chelsea that they must pay a combined fee of €25m (£20.9m) if they wish to sign both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso this summer.

Barcelona have been told by Chelsea that they must pay a combined fee of €25m (£20.9m) if they wish to sign both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso this summer, according to a report.

The Catalan giants have already recruited centre-back Andreas Christensen from the Blues on a free transfer, but they are keen to bolster their options at full-back with Spanish duo Azpilicueta and Alonso.

According to Sport, Barca are hoping to hold further negotiations with Chelsea this week over signing both players, although they may struggle to meet the Blues' asking price due to their well-documented financial problems.

Barca value both Azpilicueta, 32, and Alonso, 31, at €10m (£8.4m) each, with both players having entered the final year of their contracts at Stamford Bridge.

However, Chelsea are holding firm on their asking price and are under not pressure to sell the pair until they find replacements.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel on July 20, 2022 © Reuters

Chelsea have allegedly tabled a bid in excess of £50m for Brighton & Hove Albion left-back Marc Cucurella, moving ahead of Manchester City in the race for his signature.

The 24-year-old is also understood to have agreed personal terms, and the Blues are now waiting to hear a response from Brighton.

Thomas Tuchel's side are also interested in signing Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana, who is valued by the Foxes at around £70m.

A report from the Daily Mirror, meanwhile, claims that Chelsea could be willing let both Azpilicueta and Alonso leave the club as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old Dutchman and a fee in excess of £70m was allegedly agreed with Barca last month.

However, Chelsea have now joined the Red Devils in the race for De Jong's signature, with one report claiming that they are optimistic about completing a deal for the midfielder this summer.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in action in July 2022 © Reuters

The report adds that Chelsea could propose a £50m swap deal, including both Azpilicueta and Alonso, to sign De Jong from Barcelona, an offer which the latter may be tempted by.

Not only would the Catalan club recruit two of their main defensive targets, they would also remove De Jong's big-money salary off their wage bill and receive a significant transfer fee to help balance their books.

Since joining Chelsea back in 2012, Azpilicueta has made 474 appearances for the club across all competitions and has won a total of nine trophies.

Meanwhile, Alonso – who began his career with Real Madrid – has spent the last six years with Chelsea, contributing to 52 goals in 211 appearances and winning six major trophies.

As well as the addition of Christensen, Barcelona have also signed Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde this summer, the latter three costing around £150m.