Antonio Conte is close to further reinforcing his defence, with the signing of Fiorentina’s Marcos Alonso expected to be announced before the transfer period closes tomorrow.
In a fee reported to be in the region of £23 million, Alonso will add vital depth to Chelsea’s beleaguered defensive unit; as things stand, Cesar Azpilicueta is the only senior left-back at the club. Alonso is 25 years old, and made 39 total appearances for Fiorentina last season, scoring three goals and laying on four assists.
The Italian club has already begun making plans to replace their outgoing Spaniard, with CA Penarol’s Maximiliano Olivera seen flying out of Uruguay’s Carrasco Airport, apparently on his way to Florence.
For those who don't know, this is Marcus Alonso… pic.twitter.com/Gs445zr4rH
— – (@FalseNineRoIe) August 30, 2016
Chelsea still require further reinforcement at the back, and are in the market for a central defender, potentially on loan. Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho or Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala are both suitable options, with Sakho told in no uncertain terms that his future this season lies somewhere other than Anfield, and Mangala’s loan deal to Porto falling through.
Either would provide a more-than-adequate stop-gap, or indeed a first choice option, at least until Kurt Zouma returns from injury.
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