How likely is it that Chelsea will sign Juventus’ Alex Sandro?

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Chelsea are interested in Alex Sandro and see him as the perfect player to increase competition for the left wing-back role. However, the Evening Standard report that Juventus will ask for a minimum of £52 million to even consider a sale.

Other possible targets are Ryan Bertrand and Benjamin Mendy, but neither have the quality of the Brazilian international. The Blues have also been linked with Leonardo Bonucci and there is a possibility that Antonio Conte will launch a double raid on his former club.

What would he bring to Chelsea?

Since their change to a 3-4-3 formation, the Blues have been incredible and have started a trend in England, with several other clubs choosing to mirror their shape. Although they are already effective with the formation, there are few players in the squad that have a lot of experience playing that way. That is something that Conte will want to work on ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Alex Sandro has been used as a wing-back on countless occasions by Juventus and he would be the perfect fit for Chelsea’s system. Marcos Alonso has been excellent, but his main responsibility is to defend and protect Eden Hazard. If they signed the Juventus player, he would add a more offensive option on the left wing and that may be required given Hazard will be missing for the first few weeks of the season.

Last season in Serie A, the 26-year-old averaged 1.95 chances created per ninety minutes, which was more than Alonso managed in the Premier League (0.77). This underlines what the Brazilian would bring to the squad and why he is under consideration.

In terms of his style of play, he is a dynamic attacker, who can beat opposition defenders on the dribble. During his time with the Old Lady, he has become intelligent and often chooses the right time to go forward. Defensively, he is reliable and his pace allows him to recover if he does make an error.

How likely is a move?

Juventus will be desperate to challenge for the Champions League again next season, therefore it is difficult to see them letting go of one of their key players. There are few better attacking full-backs than Sandro in the world and they will recognise his value to the team.

Their valuation if fair and if Chelsea do want to sign him, they will need to stump up at least £52 million. The Blues have the finances, but there remain doubts about whether the Brazilian would be one of their priority targets this summer.