Barcelona’s strategic objectives for the forthcoming summer transfer window appear ambiguous. Nonetheless, it is evident that the club must prioritize the offloading of certain players from their current roster to generate funds through player sales.
Among the players anticipated to depart, notable figures such as Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, and Jules Kounde are under speculation, with interest primarily from Premier League clubs. However, alongside these high-profile potential departures, Barcelona must also address the issue of surplus players within their squad.
This surplus encompasses individuals who have failed to significantly impact the team since their acquisition, as well as those who are currently on loan or whose contracts are nearing expiration. Foremost among these candidates for departure is Marcos Alonso, who was acquired from Chelsea in 2022. Despite featuring prominently, predominantly as a central defender, during the previous season, Alonso has notably fallen out of favor in the current campaign, attributed to various factors.
Alonso on his way out?
In recent weeks, Spanish news outlets have been inundated with speculation regarding the potential departure of Alonso, amid claims made by Javi Miguel asserting that his tenure with the club is definitively drawing to a close.
Throughout the season, Alonso has grappled with a persistent back injury, rendering him sidelined for the majority of matches. His participation has been limited to a mere 299 minutes across seven games, marking the lowest playing time among all team members, including backup goalkeeper Inaki Pena.
Alonso made his return from injury in the recent fixture against Atletico Madrid. Despite the absence of Joao Cancelo from the squad, he was not included in the starting lineup, as Xavi, the team’s manager, elected to field Hector Fort as the left-back instead.
However, Fort sustained an injury late in the game, necessitating his substitution. Despite this development, Xavi opted to introduce Inigo Martinez into the game, choosing him over Alonso, the former Chelsea player.
Full-back options for the future
With the impending departure of Alonso, Barcelona’s roster is poised to feature Alejandro Balde as the sole senior left-back. Nevertheless, the club intends to secure the services of Joao Cancelo permanently, presently on loan from Manchester City.
Furthermore, the potential inclusion of Julian Araujo, currently on loan at Las Palmas, is under contemplation for bolstering the team’s defensive lineup.
With the presence of Hector Fort, alongside Balde, and the prospective additions of Cancelo and Araujo, Barcelona anticipates adequate depth and coverage across both full-back positions.