Lionel Messi 'gives the green light’ for Barcelona to move for Chelsea ace Marcos Alonso

Barcelona are still in with a chance of winning a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble this season.

But they’re not resting on their laurels and plans are already being drawn up for the summer transfer window.

Bayern and Austria left-back Alaba is thought to have been among Barcelona top targets to bolster Ernesto Valverde’s squad.

However, the latest reports indicate Nou Camp chiefs have set their sights on a different player instead - with Messi giving the 'green light' to that change.

According to Don Balon, Barcelona have decided it would cost too much to prise Alaba away from Bayern.

And that’s come as they’ve switched their attention to Chelsea ace Alonso.

Alonso impressed in both legs of Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona.

And those performances, coupled with scouts’ reports, have convinced Barcelona to swoop for him in the summer.

Alonso is a couple of years older than Alaba but is equally versatile as the Bayern star.

Chelsea are under no pressure to sell though given the Spaniard is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2021.