Chelsea identify Pablo Barrios as Xabi Alonso’s midfield priority for January

Chelsea are preparing a major January pursuit of Atletico de Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios, with manager Xabi Alonso viewing the Spain international as the ideal replacement for Enzo Fernandez.

According to Sport, Chelsea were left with a significant gap in midfield after Fernandez’s move to Manchester City was approved in the final stages of the transfer window and their attempt to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco fell through.

Monaco refused to allow the Senegalese midfielder to leave at the last minute, leaving Chelsea without the alternative they had been pursuing. The London club had already given the green light for Fernandez to join Manchester City and considered it unethical to withdraw from the agreement so late in the process.

Chelsea are now expected to return to the market in January in an effort to rebuild their midfield. Reports in England claim Barrios is the club’s preferred target, with Chelsea ready to offer €100m for the 23-year-old.

However, Atletico de Madrid are unlikely to make negotiations straightforward. Barrios has become a key part of Diego Simeone’s midfield and is regarded as one of the most important players in the manager’s squad.

The midfielder also has a €500m release clause in his contract, a figure that gives Atletico considerable protection against interest from overseas clubs. Chelsea’s proposed €100m offer would therefore fall well short of that clause, although the London club may hope a formal approach could persuade Atletico to negotiate.

Last season was particularly significant in Barrios’ development, as he established himself and confirmed his status within the Atletico team. His progress was interrupted by a hamstring injury, which kept him out for the closing part of the campaign and also prevented him from taking part in the World Cup.

Alonso believes Barrios has the qualities required to succeed at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea manager also sees him as the perfect midfield partner for Ecuador international Moises Caicedo, with the Atletico player offering a combination of physical strength and creativity.

The need to strengthen that area of the squad has been heightened by the circumstances surrounding Fernandez’s departure and the failure to complete the move for Camara. Chelsea therefore face the prospect of entering the winter transfer window with Barrios at the centre of their plans.

Atletico, meanwhile, will have little reason to consider selling a player who has become central to Simeone’s system. Barrios’ contract protection, his age and his growing importance to the team could all make the proposed deal difficult to complete, even if Chelsea follow through with their €100m offer.

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