In the last transfer window, Barcelona made seven additions, the majority of which received enthusiastic receptions from the fan base.
However, a Bosman move that brought Marcos Alonso into the team was almost unanimously criticized.
The former Chelsea star has a notorious history off the pitch, and a less-than-ideal reputation on it. He was often criticised for defensively inadequate, slow, and lazy as a full-back.
And while he has not quite won fans over with his performances during the initial three months of the 2022/23 season, Alonso seems to have convinced Xavi. As such, the club is planning to hand him a renewal soon enough, according to reports from SPORT.
Barcelona have already been in contact with Alonso and his entourage, and there has been a positive feeling about the renewal.
While the club had the services of five natural centre-backs through the first half of the season, four of them spent plenty time on the sidelines, almost simultaneously.
🚨 | There are meetings planned to tackle the renewal of Marcos Alonso. There is positivism from both sides that a deal will be reached. [@sport]
— La Senyera (@LaSenyera) December 20, 2022
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This forced Xavi to deploy Alonso as a centre-back. The coach was largely happy with the Spaniard’s versatility, and will likely count on him in the same role as the season goes on.
He arrived at the Camp Nou on a one-year contract, and also agreed to lower his salary to wear the Blaugrana.
His commitment to the transfer also impressed Barcelona officials, who practically promised him an extension.
That said, now almost 32, Alonso will only be granted a one-year extension, and will likely continue to play third fiddle to Alejandro Balde and Jordi Alba, both of whom were called up to the Spanish national team for the 2022 World Cup.
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