Chelsea have decided against signing Juventus left back Alex Sandro in the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports in Italy (via Calciomercato.com).
The Blues have reportedly opted against paying a premium to land the Brazilian international. The Mirror had reported that the London club were lining up a £50m bid for the 26 year old but reports coming out of Italy now suggest otherwise.
Initially it seemed like Chelsea had a good chance of signing Sandro after pursuing the defender for a number of months. Last week, one of Italy’s leading sports newspapers Tuttosport said that Juve were willing to sell the player for €60m (£53.4m), but there seems to have been a change of heart.
The Independent‘s Chief Football writer Miguel Delaney says that the Bianconeri are once again digging their heels in over Sandro. January is always a difficult time to do business, and it seems the Serie A club are finding it hard to strengthen in their full back positions.
Juventus have attempted to bring Leonardo Spinazzola back early from a season long loan deal at Atalanta, but they have so far failed to do so. He would have helped provide cover at right back, which could have allowed Mattia De Sciglio to be used on the left hand side if Sandro departed for Stamford Bridge.
Whether Chelsea have actually withdrawn from the race, we will have to wait and see. There are likely to be more twists and turns in this saga before the end of the transfer window.
