Chelsea Transfer News: Marcos Alonso Targeted Amid Alessio Romagnoli Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly made a bid to sign Fiorentina left-back Marcos Alonso.

Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol relayed the news from Sky in Italy:

Per Gianluca Di Marzio's David Amoyal, Chelsea have switched their attentions to the Spaniard having failed to prise Alessio Romagnoli from AC Milan.

The Blues are in need of a new central defender with John Terry now aged 35, but as Amoyal noted, Alonso's arrival could allow head coach Antonio Conte to reshuffle the back line.

Cesar Azpilicueta could return to the right flank, while Branislav Ivanovic would in turn be freed up to move into the middle.

Ivanovic played well below his usual standard last season, but it would work as a short-term solution to the Blues' centre-back problem.

Chelsea signed a left-back in Baba Rahman last summer, but the promising 22-year-old struggled to live up to expectations in a difficult year and has subsequently been loaned out to Schalke 04.

Alonso, formerly of Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers, is an attacking full-back who will look to get forward and deliver balls into the box for Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi. He can also fill in as a central defender or in midfield.

Here are some of his stats from last season, courtesy of Squawka:

	Alonso
Apps	31
Goals	3
Assists	4
Chances Created	43
Take-Ons	23
Tackles	38
Interceptions	53
Headed Duels	49
Clearances	79
Passing Accuracy	83%

Check out some of his highlights from the campaign:

Amoyal holds him in high esteem:

While he would not be the marquee centre-back many Chelsea fans are hoping the club will sign this summer, he could still make for a useful buy.

The 25-year-old only signed a new deal with the Florence outfit in January to keep him at the club until 2021—he may not be ready to move on so soon. Equally, Fiorentina will undoubtedly be reluctant to part with him just yet, so signing him may not be that easy.

It's clear the Blues need defensive reinforcement before the window shuts—without making a signing or two, it will be difficult to sustain a title challenge for the duration of the season, particularly if they pick up any injuries or suspensions.

Whether it's Alonso or another target, Chelsea need to get a signing over the line.