Barcelona veteran opted to stay this summer despite having offers to leave

The summer transfer window at Barcelona saw a major shift, with a host of star players leaving the club.

Barça ended up lowering their wage bill by €161 million, and the club were looking to further trim their bill by getting rid of Marcos Alonso in the final weeks of the market.

Alonso opted to stay

A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has offered a series of details on some of the Barcelona stars, including Alonso.

The report suggests that the Spaniard had offers to leave the Catalans this summer, but the veteran opted to remain at the club.

Alonso’s exit links had come on the back of Barcelona’s attempt to sign Joao Cancelo, who can also operate on the opposite flank.

Not to mention, Alejandro Balde has established himself as a first-team regular.

Barcelona, therefore, were seemingly open to the idea of offloading the former Chelsea full-back, who is clearly just a second-fiddle option in the team right now.

But Alonso ended up staying at the club despite having options to move away, with even Manchester United showing an interest in his services at one point towards the end of the summer window.

It has been previously suggested that manager Xavi Hernandez was against Alonso’s departure as well as he valued the seasoned campaigner’s experience and versatility.

Alonso’s contract expires next year

Alonso’s current contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the ongoing season when he will turn 33. The left-back penned a one-year deal with the club a few months ago.

There appears to be no indication that the Catalans would want to further renew his contract.

Barcelona, though, would look to squeeze out the best of Alonso while he is still at the club. The defender recently featured in the 4-3 win over Villarreal, and was an unused substitute in the last game against Osasuna.