Cucurella move signals Alonso exit

Chelsea have continued to be busy in the build up to new Premier League season, with left-back Marcos Alonso now looking likely to move to Barcelona.

Marc Cucurella’s PS60million ($105m) arrival from Brighton has paved the way for Alonso to make the move back to Spain that he has craved for some months.

Alonso wants to return to his native Spain to be closer to family, and his impending switch will bring down the curtain on six years in west London.

Chelsea are thought to have been understanding of Alonso’s desire to return to Spain, and have long been in dialogue with Barcelona over a deal.

The 31-year-old’s Chelsea contract expires in summer 2023, leaving a small fee required to complete the deal.

Chelsea secured captain Cesar Azpilicueta on a new two-year deal on Thursday night, ending Barcelona’s designs on a double defensive swoop from the Blues.

Cucurella, 24, was a long-term summer target for Manchester City and he submitted a transfer request last month after Brighton rejected a PS30m offer.

The Spanish wing-back has signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Teenage Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, 19, has moved in the opposite direction on a season’s loan to Brighton.

Chelsea begin their season at Everton on Saturday.