Marcos Alonso is reportedly on the verge of penning an improved Barcelona contract just under four months after arriving on a free transfer from Chelsea.
Alonso signed for Barca on a one-year deal following his Stamford Bridge exit in the summer, yet the Spanish club’s financial problems meant he was forced to do so on lower terms.
In order to fall within LaLiga’s salary limit, Barca were unable to fulfil the 31-year-old’s request for a three-year contract, while he also had to accept a sizeable pay cut to join.
Now Nou Camp officials are in a position to offer him an improved deal heading into the New Year, with President Joan Laporta adamant they will not be forking out for any new signings next month.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Alonso is close to signing a bumper two-year extension in Catalonia, which would keep him at Barca until the age of 34.
Despite the fact he has only featured in seven league games so far, Xavi has been impressed with the former Chelsea man’s versatility after he stepped in as a makeshift centre-back in recent outings.
Amid injuries to Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, Alonso helped out as a third central defender in Barca’s last five outings before the World Cup break and performed well in his new position.
As a result, Xavi is determined to tie him down to a contract which extends beyond the summer.
Alonso was one of seven summer arrivals at Barca, who racked up a £130million summer transfer bill to boost their chances of success this season.
To offset losses and comply with Financial Fair Play rules, the club sold 25 per cent of their domestic television rights and a 49 per cent stake in Barca Studios for more than €700m (£609m).
Doing so allowed them to bring in marquee signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Kounde.
That summer spend-up has helped Barca push for a first league title since 2019, with Xavi’s side two points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.