Chelsea could save as much as £20million this summer amid Thomas Tuchel's mission to sign a replacement for Marcos Alonso. The 31-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, and a return to Spain looks increasingly likely.
The defender, who has attracted the attention of Barcelona, is planning on leaving west London, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report claims that the Spanish international is in advanced talks with Xavi's side over a potential switch to Camp Nou, thus reportedly triggering Chelsea's eagerness to bolster options at left-back.
Wolverhampton Wanderers starlet Rayan Ait-Nouri and Brighton defender Marc Cucurella have courted the Blues' interest lately, with the latter being said to have a far larger asking price, according to reports. The Sun claim that the Blues will need to fork out at least £45million to be in contention of signing Cucurella.
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Manchester City are said to be interested too, which, naturally, could ignite a bidding war and drive the price higher. On the other hand, wolves are believed to demand just £25million for Ait-Nouri, potentially saving the Blues upwards of £20million.
The 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive season under Bruno Lage, featuring 27 times as he continued his development. Ait-Nouri, who sees his contract at Molineux expire in 2026, has grown into one of the Premier League's hottest prospects of late.
He initially signed on loan from French side Angers in 2020 before Wolves made the move permanent for around £10million last summer. While the Wanderers are said to demand at least £25million, the BirminghamMail report that the French side hold a 50 per cent sell-on clause which can be bought out, should they wish.
Nonetheless, Tuchel has already been told how Ait-Nouri can become a 'top player'. Speaking in November last year, Lage said: "We are happy with him. The quality he has, not just now, but also for the past, the way he plays in an offensive way.
"We talk with him, and we work with him, if he's more consistent and if he wins more defensive duels, he can be a top player," the Portuguese boss added. "So Rayan, he knows, now he has the chance – he needs to take it, but I want more from him, and I want more during 90 minutes."
