Marcos Alonso announced as a Barcelona player after the Spaniard’s Chelsea contract was terminated

Barcelona have confirmed the capture of Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso after the Spaniard’s contract at Stamford Bridge was terminated by mutual consent.

A statement on the Chelsea website read: ‘Marcos Alonso has left Chelsea by mutual consent, ending a six-year association with the club in which he lifted plenty of trophies and supplied Blues fans with so many memorable goals.’ 

Alonso has signed a one-year deal at the Camp Nou, with a buyout clause set at £40million.

The 31-year-old has long been linked to a move to the Catalan Club, with Barcelona boss Xavi said to be a keen admirer of the Spain international.

Talks of a move have been ongoing throughout the transfer window, but it appears that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move in the opposite direction has finally facilitated the deal getting over the line.

Alonso made over 200 appearances for the Blues in all competitions since joining the club from Fiorentina in a £24million deal in 2016.

The 31-year-old made 212 appearances in all competitions during a six-year stint with the Blues

Alonso was also part of Chelsea’s Premier League-winning team in 2017

Chelsea would go on to win the Premier League that season, with Alonso making 31 appearances, and the defender would continue to establish himself as a key part of the squad in the years that followed.

The full-back also played his part in Chelsea’s historic Champions League triumph in 2021, playing in both legs of the round of 16 victory over Atletico Madrid.

Alonso’s signing marks the seventh new arrival of Barcelona’s tumultuous transfer window amidst a host of well-publicised financial difficulties. The 31-year-old is the third left-back at the Nou Camp and will compete with Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde for a spot in the Blaugrana’s starting XI.