Barcelona are reportedly close to finally completing the signing of Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso.
The long-serving Spaniard has been heavily linked with a switch to Camp Nou throughout the summer transfer window.
Alonso has also previously acknowledged that he would like the opportunity to play in his homeland, his solitary appearance in Spanish football coming for Real Madrid in 2010.
The progression of any transfer to Barcelona has been held up by numerous factors, including the Catalan giants struggling to register their already-acquired players.
That may still prove to be the case, and it remains to be seen what fee Chelsea are prepared to accept for the 31-year-old.
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Nevertheless, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are "really close" to finalising a deal for the player.
Romano hints that the final significant obstacle is head coach Thomas Tuchel giving the green light to an exit for the left wing-back.
That theoretically may not come until after Chelsea's Premier League opener with Everton on Saturday evening, Alonso currently in line to be named on the substitutes' bench as cover for Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea will also not look to involve Marc Cucurella at Goodison Park, even if he completes his £62m transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion before Friday's midday deadline.
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However, Tuchel will not want three players for the left-hand side of his backline or at wing-back in his squad, something which will almost certainly lead to Alonso being provided with permission to sign for Barcelona.
Should Alonso finally depart the West Londoners, he will do so having won six pieces of silverware, the EFL Cup being the only major trophy missing from his collection.
Despite often dividing opinion during his six-year stint, Alonso has proven to be one of the most productive wing-backs in world football at Chelsea.
A total of 29 goals and 23 assists have come from his 211 appearances in all competitions, and he now appears in line to compete with long-serving Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba.
On Thursday evening, it was revealed that the La Liga outfit had missed out on signing Cesar Azpilicueta, the Blues legend instead penning a new two-year contract with Chelsea.
Darren Plant
