Chelsea: £100k-a-week star now 'very close' to Stamford Bridge exit

Chelsea star Marcos Alonso is ‘very close’ to ending his Stamford Bridge career by joining La Liga giants Barcelona as personal terms and a fee have been agreed, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Alonso made the move to west London in 2016, when £24million was enough to lure him away from Fiorentina, but it seems his days on the club’s books are numbered.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona and Chelsea reached an agreement in principle over Alonso last week and he is set to become the latest arrival at the Nou Camp.

It is understood that the nine-cap Spain international will sign a two-year deal which has the option of being extended by a further 12 months.

Chelsea are expected to clinch less than £8.4million for Alonso’s services thanks to his precarious contract situation.

The fact that the left-back has entered the final 12 months of his £100,000-per-week agreement at Stamford Bridge meant it was difficult for the Blues to negotiate a higher fee.

Alonso said goodbye to staff at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground last week and the clearest indication that he is set to seal his exit came on Saturday, when Thomas Tuchel left the 31-year-old out of the matchday squad for the opening day trip to Everton.

Phillips is shocked that the move has not been confirmed yet, but he understands that the switch is imminent.

The journalist feels Chelsea are just waiting for the next stage of Barcelona getting their financial problems in check.

Phillips told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m surprised that it hasn’t happened yet. As soon as the weekend was over, I was expecting that to be confirmed.

“But it is still very close. I think all they’re doing is literally just waiting for Barcelona to activate that fourth lever, which