"?Chelsea are reportedly set to sign Fiorentina defender Marcos Alonso, "?according to Marca.
Michy Batshuayi and N'Golo Kante have been Chelsea's two major signings this summer, but the London club are now set to sign a defender having been linked with a host of targets over the past few weeks, including Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli.
But Antonio Conte's side are now willing to part with €25m in order to sign Fiorentina's Alonso, who joined the Italian club on a free transfer back in 2013.
Conte's Chelsea have been scouting Serie A for defensive cover, with John Terry and Gary Cahill currently the only available senior centre-backs with Kurt Zouma still out injured. Conte reportedly knows Alonso well from his time in Italy, and Chelsea are reportedly willing to part with €25m for the former Real Madrid left-back.
Alonso, 25, made one La Liga appearance for Real Madrid during the 2009-10 season, having mainly featured for the Castilla side, before joining Bolton. He chances at the English club were limited until the 2012-13 season, when he made 26 appearances in the league, scoring four goals.
He signed for Fiorentina in 2013, and signed for Sunderland on loan during the 2013-14 season. He emerged as an important figure for Fiorentina last season, featuring in 39 games in all competitions and scoring three goals.
Chelsea have won all three of their Premier League games so far this season, with only Manchester United and Manchester City boasting the same record. With the transfer window shutting on Wednesday, Chelsea will be hopeful of signing Alonso in order to give their defenders some respite during the season, with the current squad stretched thin.