Since joining in the summer, Marcos Alonso has become a key part of Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez’s plans.
The defender, who turned 32 yesterday, has added depth at left-back and also helped the team out in times of trouble, slotting in as a makeshift centre-back and putting in some reliable performances.
It has prompted Barcelona to hand him a new contract, with his current one expiring at the end of the season. A new deal is set to be discussed with its duration yet to be finalised. But all signs point towards the ex-Chelsea ace renewing with the Blaugrana.
And, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona could decide to cool off their pursuit of Athletic Club defender Inigo Martinez in case they end up renewing Alonso.
The Spanish centre-half has been a target for Xavi & co. since the summer. A move for him was in the works until Jules Kounde arrived. However, the interest in Martinez never faded and reports suggested that Barça had plans to sign him in 2023 when he would become a free agent.
The veteran La Liga defender is set to sign a new contract with Athletic Club and it has been previously suggested that Barcelona may already have a verbal agreement with him over a potential move next summer.
However, Alonso’s emergence as an option for the left-sided centre-back role could prompt the Catalan giants to end their pursuit of Martinez and focus on other areas.
It is no secret that the club are in an iffy situation financially and need to manage their resources very carefully.
In Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen, they have four top choices for the centre-back slot, with Alonso emerging as the fifth choice. It is why the club are not interested in signing a replacement for Gerard Pique in January following his retirement.
And should Alonso ink a new deal, the Blaugrana might decide to drop their pursuit of Martinez altogether.