BARCELONA expect to complete the signing of Marcos Alonso for just £6.5million this week, according to reports.
And the club have even pencilled in the left-back for his debut.
According to AS, boss Xavi spoke with the Chelsea star on Tuesday to discuss the final details of his long-awaited summer switch.
It is understood an agreement is now in place between the two clubs after the Spaniard submitted a transfer request.
Alonso, 31, looks set to travel to Barcelona by Tuesday at the latest to complete his medical and sign the paperwork on a two-year deal with the option of an extra 12 months.
That would mean he should be available to make his first appearance for his new club on matchday two of the new LaLiga season when Barca face Real Sociedad away on August 21.
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However, there could be further complications if the Nou Camp club are unable to register Alonso immediately – after struggles to have their other new signings given the green light by league chiefs.
Alonso has gone through a full pre-season with Chelsea so is fit and ready to go – as he competes with Jordi Alba for the left-back spot.
Barca are still hopeful of securing Bernardo Silva on a deal from Manchester City – if they can ship Frenkie de Jong off to Chelsea.
The Blues have already snapped up Alonso's replacement by splashing out a whopping £62m on Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
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However, it was £50m man Ben Chilwell who started against Everton on the opening weekend of the season before Cucurella came on for the last 15 minutes in defence.
Fellow new signings Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling also started in the 1-0 Goodison victory.
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