Fiorentina go public with Chelsea Alonso interest

The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge but his club deny that the Londoners have stepped forward for their prized asset

Fiorentina have denied claims they have been approached for defender Marcos Alonso, despite reported interest from Chelsea.

Alonso, 25, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League club just days before the transfer window closes.

Antonio Conte is desperately searching for a new defensive signing with the clock ticking down to Wednesday, and wants the former Real Madrid left-back to boost his backline.

But Viola director Carlos Freitas insists his side are keen to hold onto Alonso, and declared that no outfits had stepped forward with an official offer.

“So far no club has come to ask for our best players,” he said on Monday. “He’s, for now, a Fiorentina player.”

Freitas was speaking at the presentation of loan signings Sebastian Cristoforo and Carlos Salcedo.

There may be another addition for coach Paulo Sousa before the deadline, with the club linked to their former forward Stevan Jovetic, now at Inter.

“We want to keep the best, but we also want to strengthen the team, trying to keep the economic balance,” Freitas said on Jovetic.

“Until the end we will try to put together the best team possible for the needs of the coach.”