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Marc of respect

Antonio Conte looking to bring ex-Bolton and Sunderland ace Marcos Alonso to Chelsea after impressing in Serie A

Stamford Bridge boss is desperate to reinforce backline and Spanish left-back's signing would see defensive reshuffle

Chelsea V Fiorentina / International Champions Cup 05.08.2015 / Picture JAMIE McPHILIMEY Roben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) & Marcos Alonso (Fiorentina)

ANTONIO CONTE is reportedly eyeing a shock move for former Bolton and Sunderland left-back, Marcos Alonso.

The new Chelsea boss has made no secret of his desperate desire to reinforce the backline.

epa05502824 Juventus' Paulo Dybala (R) and Fiorentina's Marcos Alonso in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match Juventus FC vs ACF Fiorentina at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, 20 August 2016. EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
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Marcos Alonso puts a challenge in on Pablo Dybala during first game of seasonCredit: ANSA

And the report Fiorentina’s Alonso is a surprise target.

Conte has struggled so far on the defensive transfer front — with a bid for Alessio Romagnoli turned down by AC Milan and JuventusLeonardo Bonucci set to reject any overtures and stay with the Italian champions.

Alonso’s signing would solve several issues as he would slot in at left-back and allow Cesar Azpilicueta to move to the right side — where he is more comfortable.

Juventus' Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner (L) vies for the ball with Fiorentina's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso Mendoza during the Italian Serie A football match between Fiorentina and Juventus on April 24, 2016 at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Florence. / AFP / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)
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Marcos Alonso has become a Fiorentina regular since moving to Serie ACredit: AFP
Chelsea V Fiorentina / International Champions Cup 05.08.2015 / Picture JAMIE McPHILIMEY Roben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) & Marcos Alonso (Fiorentina)
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Marcos Alonso in action against Chelsea during pre-season friendlyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Manchester United v Sunderland 22.1.14 CAPITAL ONE CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG Goal! Manchester United 2(1), Sunderland 1(1). Marcos Alonso (Sunderland) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner. (Bradley Ormesher/The Times)
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Marcos Alonso nets penalty during League Cup semi-final win over Man United

And Branislav Ivanovic can slide into the centre to offer more solidity.

Real Madrid youth produce, Alonso, can play all along the left flank, but prefers a more defensive role.

He moved to Bolton in 2010 after making just one first-team appearances for Los Blancos.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Marcos Alonso of Bolton celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 during the npower Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers at Hillsborough Stadium on September 22, 2012 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Marcos Alonso celebrates scoring for Bolton in Championship in 2012Credit: Getty Images

After initially struggling, he grew in stature and earned a move to Fiorentina three years later.

But, after just nine appearances at the Serie A side, he returned to the Premier League to join Sunderland on loan and played in the League Cup final defeat to Manchester City in 2014.

Since returning to Florence, Alonso has established himself as a regular and played 31 league games last season.

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