Barcelona expect to wrap up deal for Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso

Barcelona now expect to complete the signing of Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso, the PA news agency understands.

Marc Cucurella’s £60million arrival at Chelsea has paved the way for Alonso to make the move back to Spain that he has craved for some months.

Alonso is understood to want to return to his native Spain to be closer to family, and his impending switch will bring down the curtain on six years in west London.

Chelsea are thought to have been understanding of Alonso’s desire to return to Spain, and have long been in dialogue with Barcelona over a deal.

The 31-year-old’s Chelsea contract expires in summer 2023, leaving a small fee required to complete the deal.

Chelsea secured captain Cesar Azpilicueta on a new two-year deal on Thursday night, ending Barcelona’s designs on a double defensive swoop from the Blues.

Stamford Bridge chiefs are likely to continue talks with bosses at the Catalan club, however, over both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie De Jong.

Chelsea are in the market for a striker this summer after Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter Milan on loan.

Tuchel brought the best out of Aubameyang when the pair worked together at Borussia Dortmund, and Chelsea are understood to be weighing up their level of interest in the former Arsenal hitman.

Barcelona are thought to have offered the Gabon striker to Chelsea, while also raising the prospect of a deal for De Jong.

Manchester United have tracked De Jong all summer, but Chelsea are still thought to be in contention.

Chelsea are also understood to be continuing to push to sign Leicester centre-back Wesley Fofana, despite the Foxes insisting the French star is not for sale.

Tuchel batted away questions on a reunion with Aubameyang on Friday but did admit