Chelsea defender planning to submit ‘transfer request’ to join Barcelona | OneFootball

Jordi Alba has been left without a backup at left-back for nearly a decade at this point. His injury record and chemistry with the team is superb, which often works in favour for Barcelona, but ahead of the 2022/23 season, they are looking to bring in a proper deputy.

Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso has been chosen by Xavi to reinforce the position, but a move is complicated at this point. The Spaniard, though, is clear about his desire to join Barça, and is willing to submit a ‘transfer request’ to force his way out, according to Mundo Deportivo.

A transfer request forces the Premier League to intervene and mediate between the two parties, in case the parent club refuses to let the player leave.

The Blues have recently come under new ownership and have lost two centre-backs during this window in the form of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger for free.

They are already under heavy scrutiny after the Roman Abramovich scandal and cannot afford to overspend during this window, even though their team is literally breaking apart.

Barcelona, meanwhile, probably cannot afford to spend another season without a proper backup left-back. Alba has had a superb injury record during his decade at the club, but suffered multiple injury scares last season.

During that time, Ronald Koeman and Xavi tried to plug the hole using Oscar Mingueza, Sergino Dest, Clement Lenglet, and Alejandro Balde. None with too much success, though.

Further, with Dani Alves leaving the club, Dest and Sergi Roberto are the only available options at right-back. A deal for Cesar Azpilicueta is being worked on, but is in the initial stages only.

Alonso is on the last year of his contract, and could cost up to nearly €5-7 million. That said, he is clearly not their priority; Barcelona would much rather sort out moves for Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Jules Kounde before looking ahead.