Aston Villa ‘stepping up efforts’ to sign £100k-per-week Chelsea ‘cult hero’

Aston Villa have reportedly made an approach to Barcelona to sign Marcos Alonso after it emerged the full-back hasn’t been registered for the 2023/24 season.

With Lucas Digne rumoured to be leaving Villa Park before the transfer deadline and Tyrone Mings now out injured long-term, Unai Emery’s side are in the market for a new left-sided defender.

Former Chelsea cult hero Alonso has been heavily linked with a move to B6, whereas contact is said to have been made to Sevilla for World Cup winner Marcos Acuña.

In the case of Alonso, contrasting reports in Spain have been published in the last day or two, leaving the 32-year-old’s Barça future very much up in the air.

AS claims Alonso is “on the exit ramp” despite manager Xavi Hernandez’s satisfaction with the defender’s performances. This is due to Barça’s need to raise funds to meet La Liga regulations.

It’s reported Villa have already made a firm offer to the player as they look to bolster squad depth ahead of their first-ever UEFA Europa Conference League campaign.

Finances have been a huge issue for the Catalan giants in recent seasons and substantial salaries haven’t helped. Alonso’s reported £100,000-per-week wage is just one example of that.

But fellow Spanish publication SPORT claims Xavi has informed Alonso he’s not up for sale as he’s seen as a crucial member of the squad, playing the role of backup to Alejandro Balde.

Alonso, who has played 37 times for Barcelona since signing in 2022, made 212 appearances for Chelsea during a six-year stay, scoring 29 goals and assisting a further 23 in the process.