Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that they have turned down a bid from Chelsea from Alex Sandro. Antonio Conte is keen to shake up his squad a bit after driving them to the Premier League title last season.
The Italian has been in a hurry to get his recruitment campaign going for the new season but Chelsea are yet to announce any signings so far. There have been talks for a few potential deals with the likes of Romelu Lukaku but the West London side are yet to open any discussion for his transfer.
There were reports of Conte leaving the club as he has gone very frustrated over Chelsea’s unwillingness to spend big. The Italian has chalked a new plan for the upcoming season but he is fearing that he might not be able to execute that without the inclusion of new players. He has addressed the concern to the Chelsea hierarchy who are taking necessary measures to solve the problem.
Roman Abramovich is set to make Conte the highest paid manager in the history of Chelsea as he is slated to offer the manager an annual pay packet of £9.6m. Conte has made the signing of Alex Sandro a priority as Marcos Alonso is currently the only proven left back in the squad.
Conte brought Alonso from Florentina in the last summer and the Spaniard has flourished in the left wing back role. Cesar Azpilicueta has been used more centrally by the Italian gaffer as he deployed a three-man defence last season.
Sandro has gone on to a different level at Juventus and has established himself in the starting lineup of the Italian champions. The player has seven caps for Brazil too and has emerged as a new sensation in the Serie A.
Chelsea had also targeted Sandro’s team-mate Leonardo Bonucci but the Italian defender stayed at the Turin-based side. The Blues had a hefty £55.2million offer rejected for Sandro but they are expected to launch an improved bid in coming days.
Juventus are considering Sandro’s situation right now and might like to cash in on the player. Sandro has been reportedly asked by the club to make his stand clear on the move and if he responded positively the club would make the necessary attempt to seal the move. The 26-year-old cost the club £23m and the Italian champions are expected to make a significant profit if they decide to offload the player.
