Chelsea duo Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are in demand and Barcelona want to complete a double transfer by this weekend, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Thomas Tuchel is preparing his side for the start of the Premier League season and it is likely that the Spanish duo will play a part on the opening day.

What is the latest on Azpilicueta and Alonso?

The duo have been long-term servants to Chelsea but both could be on their way out of Stamford Bridge this summer.

Barcelona are interested in completing a double deal for the Blues players and both Azpilicueta and Alonso are reportedly eager to move to the Camp Nou.

However, Chelsea remain short of defenders. The end of last season saw both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen depart on free transfers and while Kalidou Koulibaly has signed from Napoli, reinforcements are needed even before the club consider selling.

At the time of writing, Raheem Sterling is the only other name through the door at Stamford Bridge.

What has Jones said on a potential deal for the players?

Jones understands that Barcelona are looking to tie up a deal for Azpilicueta and Alonso as early as this weekend as Xavi continues to strengthen his side.

But the transfer insider also says that this is something Chelsea simply cannot do given the current state of their squad.

Jones told GIVEMEPORT: “I think Barcelona want to tie both these deals up by the weekend if they can. But Chelsea obviously can't afford to do that at the moment and they are running out of time to pad out their squad. I think they'll have to include both players at the weekend if there's no way of it moving forward.”

What happens next at Stamford Bridge?

It seems very unlikely that either Alonso or Azpilicueta will be allowed to leave this summer unless Chelsea bring in reinforcements.

A deal is close for the services of Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella while Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard and Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana are also on the club’s radar.

With Alonso and Azpilicueta currently earning a combined £250,000 per week, the ideal scenario would allow Chelsea to cash-in on the duo and free up space on their wage bill, but that feels a long way off now.

For now, getting new players through the door will likely remain the overwhelming priority.