Chelsea transfer news: Xabi Alonso adds £30m Barcelona titan to his summer 'defensive shortlist'

Chelsea person added Gerard Martin to their database of antiaircraft targets arsenic caller brag Xabi Alonso continues reshaping his squad up of the caller season.

The Barcelona defender has emerged arsenic an charismatic enactment acknowledgment to his versatility and increasing estimation successful Spain.

However, the Blues look beardown contention from Italy for his signature.

Xabi Alonso wants Gerard Martin astatine Chelsea

According to emerging reports, Alonso has placed Martin connected his 'defensive shortlist' this summer.

The Spanish caput manager hugely admires the 24-year-old due to the fact that of his quality to run some arsenic a accepted left-back and arsenic a left-sided centre-back, making him an perfect acceptable for a assortment of tactical systems.

However, AC Milan are presently starring the contention aft expanding their connection towards €35 cardinal (£30 million), portion the Blues are yet to taxable a ceremonial bid.

Barcelona would similar to support the erstwhile Spain U21 international, with Hansi Flick viewing him arsenic an important subordinate of his squad, though the Catalan nine could see a merchantability if a important connection arrives.

Chelsea could onshore a versatile bargain successful Gerard Martin

For astir £30 million, Martin could beryllium to beryllium 1 of the smartest antiaircraft signings disposable this summer.

His biggest spot is his versatility - comfy astatine left-back and arsenic susceptible of slotting into a backmost three, helium offers the tactical flexibility that Alonso is apt to request arsenic helium switches betwixt antithetic formations passim the season.

The 6 ft 1 titan is besides technically accomplished, composed successful possession and well-suited to gathering attacks from deep, each qualities that person go synonymous with Barcelona's academy graduates.

Chelsea person mislaid immoderate prime connected the near broadside of defence following the exit of Marc Cucurella, truthful adding a subordinate susceptible of covering 2 positions would importantly amended the squad's extent portion giving Alonso much tactical options crossed a agelong campaign.

The biggest question is whether Chelsea are prepared to outbid Milan for a subordinate Barcelona are reluctant to lose.

For the interest mooted, Martin represents fantabulous value, but entering a prolonged bidding warfare whitethorn not. If the Blues tin onslaught a woody astatine the close price, however, they would beryllium signing a defender entering his premier with the illustration to go an important portion of Alonso's semipermanent project.