{"id":266430,"date":"2026-10-08T12:10:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T12:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/08\/xabi-alonso-green-lights-chelsea-move-for-barcelona-ace\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T12:10:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T12:10:12","slug":"xabi-alonso-green-lights-chelsea-move-for-barcelona-ace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/08\/xabi-alonso-green-lights-chelsea-move-for-barcelona-ace\/","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso green-lights Chelsea move for Barcelona ace"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

Chelsea<\/a> have already started laying the foundations for January as Xabi Alonso<\/a> looks for the final pieces of his Stamford Bridge rebuild.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Blues spent heavily again during the summer, but their squad was left with a clear gap in midfield after Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez joined Man City.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n <\/picture>Reuters\/Jason Cairnduff<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

A late attempt to sign Lamine Camara<\/a> from Monaco didn’t reach the finish line, leaving Alonso without the replacement he wanted.<\/p>\n

Alex Scott has since emerged as Chelsea\u2019s leading target<\/a> in that area. Bournemouth rejected an offer worth more than \u00a360 million during the summer window and remain determined to keep the England international through January.<\/p>\n

Defence is another area receiving attention.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Chelsea’s 2026 summer signings<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Nationality<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Previous Club<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Fee<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Morgan Rogers<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

England<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Aston Villa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a3117m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Maxence Lacroix<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

France<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Crystal Palace<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a352m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Marco Palestra<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Italy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Atalanta<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a348.5m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Geovany Quenda<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Portugal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Sporting CP<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a342.5m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Valentin Barco<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Argentina<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Strasbourg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a334m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Denner<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Brazil<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Corinthians<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a38.5m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Emiliano Martinez<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Argentina<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Aston Villa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a37.5m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Danny Welbeck<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

England<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Brighton<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a35m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dastan Satpayev<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kazakhstan<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kairat Almaty<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a32m<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Emmanuel Emegha<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Netherlands<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

RC Strasbourg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Undisclosed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Jordan Henderson<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

England<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Brentford<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Free<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Alejandro Balde has been linked with a switch from Barcelona, despite Chelsea already having Jorrel Hato and Pep Chavarria available on the left.<\/p>\n

Reports in Spain claim Alonso values Balde and would welcome another player suited to operating as an attacking wing back.<\/p>\n

Jarell Quansah is also attracting rumoured Chelsea interest following his progress at Bayer Leverkusen, although Liverpool\u2019s buyback clause could make that pursuit difficult.<\/p>\n

The Blues have also explored a move<\/a> for Man United teenager JJ Gabriel, but the youngster currently favours continuing his career outside England.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"JJ-Gabriel-Man-Utd-Youth-Cup\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

It shows that Chelsea are assessing immediate upgrades alongside players who could become important in the future, with \u00a346m defender, Jules Kounde<\/a> being another major name in the conversation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Xabi Alonso personally eyeing Jules Kound\u00e9 for Chelsea <\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\"jules-kounde-barcelona\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Stefan Wermuth<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Spanish journalist Juan Jesus reports<\/a> that several Premier League clubs are showing serious interest in the Barcelona defender, with Alonso described as a particularly strong admirer as eyes a Chelsea swoop.<\/p>\n

That interest makes sense.<\/p>\n

Kounde is comfortable at right back or in central defence and would offer Alonso the versatility required to change shape during matches.<\/p>\n

He also has experience of playing at the highest level for club and country.<\/p>\n

Chelsea know the player well after trying to sign him from Sevilla in 2022. Barcelona eventually won that battle, but the door to Stamford Bridge may not be permanently closed.<\/p>\n

Eric Garcia has moved ahead of him in Hansi Flick\u2019s preferred lineup, leaving the Frenchman with a reduced role during the opening weeks of the campaign.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Como's\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

However, Jesus insists neither Kounde nor Flick is currently pushing for a January separation, with both men deciding that a transfer isn’t currently on the agenda.<\/p>\n

Kounde reportedly sees the answer as better football rather than a move away, and he remains happy with life in Spain, but accepts that his performances have not reached his normal standard.<\/p>\n

His priority is to respond on the pitch and force his way back into Flick\u2019s starting side.<\/p>\n

The Barcelona coach is also prepared to offer Kounde further chances rather than write him off. That stance presents Chelsea with a significant obstacle, particularly because the 27-year-old is tied to the Spanish champions until 2030.<\/p>\n

TEAMtalk has previously reported that Alonso would like to bring Kounde to west London and that Barcelona could consider selling him during 2027.<\/p>\n

A winter deal has not been completely dismissed, while Malo Gusto\u2019s long-term future may also influence Chelsea\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"malo-gusto-chelsea\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/David Klein<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

For now, there is a clear difference between admiration and an achievable transfer.<\/p>\n

Alonso may see Kounde as an ideal addition, but the player wants to win back his place rather than run from the challenge.<\/p>\n

Unless that battle ends badly before January, Chelsea could be forced to wait or turn their attention elsewhere.<\/p>\n