Alonso’s staying at Blues
CHELSEA are ready to resist any offers for Marcos Alonso, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both weighing up a move for the full-back.
Alonso is on the radar of the La Liga rivals, who are willing to pay around £27m for him before the Spanish transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
But the 27-year-old is a key part of new boss Maurizio Sarri’s plans and the Blues are not willing to discuss selling him with no chance to bring in a replacement.
Alonso has three years left on his contract and is currently Sarri’s first-choice left-back, playing every minute of every game for him so far this season.
He has also been involved in more Premier League goals than any other defender since he joined Chelsea in September 2016, his winner against Arsenal being the 20th.
That has caught the eye of the two Spanish giants, who are looking for reinforcements at the back, but Alonso is understood to be happy at Stamford Bridge and unlikely to try and force a transfer.
Alonso actually began his career at Real and was there at the same time as current boss Julen
Lopetegui was coaching the B team.
The former Spain coach now wants to be reunited with the Madrid-born defender and put him on a list of targets at the start of the summer.
But Atletico are also in the market for a left-back as Filipe Luis is expected to join Paris St-Germain and Alonso is their preferred replacement.
Chelsea have yet to receive an official approach from either club and it is understood one would not be welcomed.
Meanwhile, Blues new boy Mateo Kovacic expects to fulfil his potential at Stamford Bridge now he has finally found a coach who believes in him.
The Croatia international made a promising debut in the 3-2 win over Arsenal after signing on a season’s loan from Real.
Kovacic has played in a number of positions in his career without managing to hold down a regular first-team spot at either Madrid or Inter Milan.
But he believes Sarri is poised to get the best out of him.
Kovacic said: “It was important that after three years of inconsistency in playing time in Madrid I’ve got a coach who wants and trusts me.
“That’s how Chelsea happened. That’s what I really need now.”