Chelsea are reportedly closing in on their first marquee signing of the summer as it’s claimed that Juventus ace Alex Sandro is on the verge of a £61m move.
The 26-year-old has emerged as a top target for Antonio Conte this summer, which has raised eyebrows for some given the importance and impressive nature of Marcos Alonso’s form last season.
Nevertheless, speculation has persisted to the point where Corriere della Sera report that Chelsea have matched Juve’s £61.2m asking price, with the Brazilian defender intimating that he wants the switch to Stamford Bridge ahead of next season.
Sandro made 43 appearances in all competitions last year, scoring three goals and providing seven assists as well as being a fundamental part of the best defence in Serie A as Juve completed the domestic double and made it to the Champions League final.
However, it looks as though his time in Turin is coming to an end, with the report adding that the Bianconeri are seemingly moving on already as they consider replacements. Leonardo Spinazzola could be brought back from his loan spell with Atalanta, or Mattia De Sciglio and Matteo Darmian could come in as Massimiliano Allegri continues to be linked with a swoop for both.
As for Chelsea, as mentioned above, it seems like a bit of a strange move. Conte needs quality and depth in every position, but to spend over £60m on a left-sided defender when he already has Alonso seems a little strange.
That’s a significant portion of the budget gone surely, when he could have been better served using it on an area of the squad that desperately needed strengthening.
Nevertheless, having delivered the Premier League title in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, few will doubt his planning or ability to build a squad capable of defending their title and making an impression in the Champions League next season.