Barcelona target Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso

Bengaluru, February 19: Barcelona face Chelsea on Tuesday (February 20) in the Champions League Round of 16 in the most anticipated game of the tournament so far and the Spanish giants want to use this clash to negotiate a deal for Blues wing-back Marcos Alonso.

Barcelona are on a high this season with a healthy cushion at the top of the table and are also competing in the Copa del Rey and in Europe so Ernesto Valverde has had to rotate his squad this season.

Lucas Digne has come in for criticism when he’s deputised for Jordi Alba at left-back, with claims Messi is among those who don’t rate the Frenchman.

The latest reports from Spain suggest Barcelona are planning to replace Digne and want to speak to Chelsea about signing Alonso who has been one of the most consistent players for Chelsea since he joined the Blues.

According to transfer rumours specialists Don Balon, Barca are planning to make the most of their trip to London by opening transfer talks.

Valverde apparently sees Alonso as the ideal candidate to step in when Alba is rested or unavailable.

And his arrival would lead to Digne’s exit, which could be one of a number of departures in the summer.

Don Balon also ndicate Barcelona and Messi does not yet know whether Chelsea will be willing to discuss a potential deal.

Pedro was the last player to make a switch between the two clubs, swapping the Nou Camp for Stamford Bridge in 2015.

Cesc Fabregas, Oriol Romeu, Deco, Juliano Belletti and Eidur Gudjohnsen have all switched between Barcelona and Chelsea during the Roman Abramovich era and Alonso could be the next to follow.

However, there are doubts whether the Spaniard would fancy a move to Nou Camp or not considering that he is a regular for Chelsea at wing-back while he will have to deputise Alba if he joins the Catalan giants.