WANTED MAN Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso is loan transfer target for Atletico Madrid who agree to split star’s £100k-a-week wages

The left-back has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the Blues' £50million signing of England international Ben Chilwell.

Marcos Alonso has fallen down the Chelsea pecking order Credit: AFP

Ben Chilwell has replaced Marcos Alonso as Chelsea's first-choice left-back Credit: Getty

Alonso has made a paltry three appearances in all competitions this campaign, all of which have come in the Premier League.

The Spaniard - who joined the west Londoners from Fiorentina in the summer of 2016 - has been absent from Chelsea's last 11 league matchday squads.

And according to reports, Atletico are willing to hand the former Bolton man a lifeline.

Spanish TV show El Chiringuito claims the La Liga leaders are set to table a loan bid for the 29-year-old.

They also state the Madrid club is willing to pay 50 per cent of Alonso's £100,000-a-week wages.

Atletico will reportedly have to battle Inter Milan for Alonso's services as former Blues boss Antonio Conte is said to be keen on re-signing the full-back.

Chelsea, however, are said to be against the idea of Alonso moving to Italy.

Earlier this month, Blues manager Frank Lampard admitted Alonso has been left in the cold as he's failed to impress him in training.

He said: "I have options in different positions and it is just my choice, that is all it is.

"It is sometimes a difficult part of my job because I can only pick 11, the subs and I have to make those choices. It doesn’t mean anyone is out of the picture, ever.

"It is how you train here daily, how you perform when you play.

"We need the squad and some periods players will, of course, be disappointed they are not in it. They must keep working.”

Chelsea will be back in action on Boxing Day, travelling to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal.

Last season's beaten FA Cup finalists will then close out 2020 with a home match against ninth-placed Aston Villa.