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Chelsea are unlikely to lose both Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta to Barcelona in the summer transfer window, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Thomas Tuchel has already lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer ahead of the 2022-23 season, giving himself and Todd Boehly plenty of work to do in the transfer window.
Barcelona reportedly hold a serious interest in signing both experienced Spaniards with the players keen on the idea of swapping Stamford Bridge for the Nou Camp.
Azpilicueta was set to leave Chelsea on a free transfer this summer but chose to trigger the option to extend his stay by an extra year.
With Alonso also entering the final 12 months of his deal, this summer will likely represent the last chance Chelsea have to recoup any money from the players, with the duo currently earning a combined £250,000 per week.
Both players have featured during pre-season under Tuchel although the German is yet to select Azpilicueta in his starting XI over the three games.
When asked about what will happen with the experienced duo, Jones relayed that Chelsea believe only one of Azpilicueta or Alonso would join the La Liga giants this summer.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Azpilicueta or Alonso are going to join Barcelona. That’s the impression that Chelsea get. I don’t think both of them will, although they’ve obviously both been talked about. I think Chelsea obviously made their case to both about where they fit in next season.”
The impact that both Azpilicueta and Alonso have had at Stamford Bridge cannot be underestimated and no club would want to lose two such experienced players in one window.
After signing from Marseille in 2012, Azpilicueta has made 474 appearances for the Blues, captaining them to Champions League and Europa League triumphs in the process. Only Mason Mount and Rudiger have made more appearances under Tuchel at Stamford Bridge too.
While Alonso may have been bumped down the pecking order by Ben Chilwell over the last two campaigns, the left-back has remained a trustworthy option for Tuchel, making 59 appearances under the German, 26 more than Chilwell.
Kalidou Koulibaly has already signed from Napoli this summer to help replace the losses at the back but many supporters will not want him to be the last through the door.
Chelsea are continuing to push ahead with deals for Paris Saint-Germain ace Presnel Kimpembe and Sevilla target Joules Kounde.
A fee of £55 million was reportedly agreed for the latter last week but Barcelona are not giving up in their own pursuit of the France international.
There was plenty of excitement after Levi Colwill helped Huddersfield Town to the Championship play-off final last season but Chelsea remain open to letting the talented 19-year-old leave this summer.
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