Transfer Centre

Marcos Alonso 'set to leave Barcelona next summer'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 10 December 2023

Experienced defender Marcos Alonso will leave Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, according to a report.

Marcos Alonso will reportedly leave Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 32-year-old has only made seven appearances for the Catalan outfit during the current season, with four of those coming in La Liga, while he has featured three times in the Champions League.

Alonso is down the pecking order when it comes to the left-back position, while he is also not high in manager Xavi's thinking in terms of the starting roles in the middle of the defence.

The Spaniard has a contract at Barcelona until next June, with the club having the option to extend his deal for a further 12 months, but according to Mundo Deportivo, he will leave the La Liga champions on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The report claims that a number of Saudi Arabian clubs are keen on signing him in January, but he will finish the campaign at Camp Nou before seeking pastures new.

m Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso celebrates scoring against Manchester United on February 16, 2023 © Reuters

Manchester United are believed to have considered moving for Alonso last summer when they lost Luke Shaw to a muscular problem, but the club instead signed Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spaniard moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2022 after leaving Chelsea, and he made 37 appearances for Xavi's side during the 2022-23 campaign.

Alonso started his professional career with Real Madrid before moving to Bolton Wanderers, and he then represented Fiorentina ahead of a switch to Chelsea in 2016.

The experienced defender made 212 appearances for the Blues during a successful spell, winning one Premier League title, one Champions League and one FA Cup.

Chelsea's Jorginho celebrates scoring their first goal with Marcos Alonso on November 28, 2021 © Reuters

Alonso also helped Chelsea lift the Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup, while he was a runner-up in the EFL Cup on two occasions.

Barcelona head coach Xavi praised the defender's professionalism last year after it was confirmed that he had signed a new one-year deal until June 2024.

"I am really happy with Marcos. Firstly, as a person and as a professional inside the dressing room, where he has adapted really well," he said at the time.

"But also as a player. He is solid, mature and experienced. He has been a top-level signing and will be really important for us moving forward."

Alonso was not available for Barcelona's last match against Atletico due to a minor injury, but he is back in the squad for Sunday's meeting with Girona.