Chelsea ‘are preparing to sell Marcos Alonso this summer’ with the defender potentially on his way to Barcelona.
There will be an overhaul of the Blues’ back line now the takeover by a consortium led by Todd Boehly has been completed, with central defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing.
And Spanish left-back Alonso, 31, is also likely to join those leaving after six years with the Stamford Bridge club.
The Athletic report that manager Thomas Tuchel plans to make Emerson Palmieri the back-up option to Ben Chilwell in the left-back position once Alonso goes.
Tuchel is a big admirer of the Italy international, 27, and wanted to bring him back from a loan spell at Lyon in January after Chilwell suffered a serious knee injury.
England star Chilwell, 25, has returned to action and came off the bench late on in Chelsea’s final Premier League game against Watford last week.
He is likely to remain as Tuchel’s first choice on the left side of defence but Emerson – part of Italy’s Euro 2020 winning squad – will offer strong competition next season.
While that part of the pitch is no problem, Chelsea will need to replace their departing centre-backs with Boehly and the new owners making money available for Tuchel to spend this summer.
Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is likely to be the first through the door for a fee of around £50million, 12 months after Chelsea walked away from a deal for the France international after the Spanish club upped the asking price.
Chelsea have also reportedly looked at RB Leipzig 20-year-old centre-back Josko Gvardiol, though may promote from within, with 19-year-old Levi Colwill impressing during a loan spell at Huddersfield Town.
Cesar Azpilicueta may also need to be replaced, even though he played enough last season to automatically trigger a 12-month extension on his contract.
However, the Spaniard, 32, was reportedly given verbal assurances he would be allowed to leave this summer with Barcelona a potential destination.