Barcelona confirms the alternative if they don’t get Jose Gaya

Barcelona has identified Chelsea’s left-back Marcos Alonso as a potential alternative for their priority summer target, Jose Gaya.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona is looking to bolster its left-back department during the summer transfer window. They have identified Valencia’s Jose Gaya as their main target in this regard. However, if they are unable to sign the Spaniard, the Blaugrana will keep their options open. Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso is being considered as a potential replacement.

Alonso joined Chelsea on the last day of the summer transfer window in 2016, having previously played for Fiorentina. The Spaniard established himself as a crucial member of then-manager Antonio Conte’s system. He helped the Blues to victories in the Premier League and the FA Cup in his first two seasons in charge of the club. However, since the departure of Antonio Conte, the 31-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Stamford Bridge. He has been in and out of the squad on several occasions.

Alonso was effectively frozen out by Frank Lampard at one point in 2020. But the hiring of Thomas Tuchel gave the Spaniard a second chance at Chelsea. He has made the most of it. Even though Ben Chilwell has been favored when fit and available, the former Fiorentina ace has put up a strong performance when given the chance.

This season alone, he has appeared in 30 games across all competitions, scoring twice and assisting on three other goals in the process. The Spaniard, though, will be approaching the last year of his contract in the summer and may be allowed to depart, with Chelsea already putting together a list of potential successors. Barcelona has taken notice of this and is now considering making a move for him.

Barcelona is in a vulnerable situation when it comes to their choices at left-back in the current season. According to the current situation, Jordi Alba is the only experienced player on the job. The Spaniard has shown various indicators of deterioration in recent years. Alejandro Balde is a youngster with little experience, and his manager, Xavi Hernandez, has shown little faith in him.

With Alba showing indications of deterioration, Barcelona must find a replacement who will be able to step in and ultimately replace him as the first-choice left-back. It has been a long time since they have had their sights set on Valencia’s Jose Gaya as a possible target. They are, however, keeping their options open in the face of speculations that he may be signing a new deal with Los Che in the near future.

Barcelona is interested in signing Alejandro Grimaldo from Benfica, as well as Nicolas Tagliafico, who was expected to join the club in the January transfer window. Alonso has also emerged as a possible alternative for Gaya, along with the rest of the group. The Spaniard, on the other hand, would not be a long-term investment for the Blaugrana and would only serve as a short-term remedy.

Whether or not Barça can entice Gaya away from Valencia, it will be intriguing to see if they are obliged to make a move for one of their secondary targets when the season ends.