Barcelona have been in a race against time to get some sales made in this summer transfer window in order to help their finances take some shape ahead of the new season.
As such, there has bee a whirlwind of rumours regarding who the Catalans may sell to generate funds to free up space in the wage bill or to try and reinvest the money into new signings for the 2023/24 season.
One of the names on the metaphorical chopping block – rather comically – has been Marcos Alonso, despite recently signing a one-year extension on his contract till 2024.
Alonso may be staying after all
Despite all the chatter, recent reports from SPORT indicate that the Spanish full-back has not been transfer listed and is going to stay put in Catalonia.
Alonso has been a largely polarising figure among the Barcelona fans with his performances on the pitch.
While he has had a number of games where he has shown promising signs, not many consider him as a viable left-back option to play week-in, week-out if Alejandro Balde was to be sidelined.
The latter has exploded onto the scene and has been one of the revelations of the season with his pace, tenacity and raw talent.
Alonso, now 32, does still have an important role in the current squad due to the Blaugrana’s stringent budget and his willingness to slot in at centre-back if necessary.
With plenty of player registrations still pending and no real backup for Balde in the event of another injury, the Catalans simply cannot afford to let Alonso go and risk having so little depth in that left-back position.
The Spanish outlet state in their report that neither the club nor the player have been contemplating his departure.
Alonso is also reportedly keen in impressing in the new season and competing with Balde for a starting spot in the side.
However, with his dynamism, Balde will (and should) undoubtedly retain the starting spot down that flank.
