Chelsea transfer news: Marcos Alonso deal close as £24million fee with Fiorentina nears agreement
Ex-Bolton defender on verge of move to Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day
CHELSEA are close to agreeing a £24million fee with Fiorentina to sign Spanish defender Marcos Alonso.
Antonio Conte targeted the former Bolton and Sunderland defender as he looks to strengthen his defensive options at Stamford Bridge.
An initial bid of £23m from Chelsea has been on the table for the past few days but now the Serie A club are ready to strike a deal after the Blues threw a further million on the table.
Sources in Italy suggest a formal agreement will be in place by the end of the day, allowing the 25-year-old to complete his move to London on transfer deadline day.
Alonso has already had two spells in the Premier League with Bolton and Sunderland, and did little to suggest he could play for a top club.
But boss Conte has been impressed with the impact he has made in Italy with Fiorentina and believes he has developed into a top class defender.
It is understood the player has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea and is now just awaiting clearance from his club before undergoing a medical.
Conte has been busy trying to add to his squad over the past week, with Michy Batshuayi and N'Golo Kante the only done deals so far this summer.
The Italian is also in the market for a midfielder and an attacker if possible, with Real Madrid's James Rodriguez being linked with a late move before the transfer window slams shut.