Marcos Alonso might not have been the most-fancied signing when he arrived at Barcelona earlier this year. But the 31-year-old has managed to make an impression on manager Xavi Hernandez and the rest of the staff at Spotify Camp Nou in the short time he has been there.
The 31-year-old signed for Barça from Chelsea on deadline day and agreed to pen just a one-year contract with low wages owing to the club’s issues with Financial Fair Play.
But, given how he has performed since, the Blaugrana are intent on renewing the contract of Alonso so that he remains at the club beyond the ongoing campaign.
And, according to Mundo Deportivo, talks over a new contract for Alonso are on the ‘right track’, with the club and the player’s agent, Fali Ramadani, approaching an agreement.
Indeed, while the deal is not yet finalised, the report states that the talks are at a very advanced stage and only some final details such as the duration of the new contract need to be ironed out. It is likely that the 31-year-old will be handed a two-year extension.
Alonso, in his short time at Barcelona, has managed to adapt very well. Even though he had a slow start, the former Chelsea man has slowly been growing in stature under the stewardship of Xavi.
Having initially played in his natural left-back position, the Spanish international also showcased his ability to slot in as a left-sided centre-back in the matches prior to the World Cup break, when the likes of Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen were coping with injuries.
Indeed, of his 12 appearances for Barça since joining, eight have come as a centre-back, with Alonso playing just four on the left side of the defence.
His emergence as an option at the heart of the backline is one of the reasons why Barcelona are not going to pursue a central defender to replace Gerard Pique, who announced his retirement.
With Alonso making a solid impression in his short stint at Camp Nou, the defender is now all set to be rewarded with a new contract.