Alex Sandro Reportedly Must Ask to Leave Before Juventus Accept Chelsea Transfer

Chelsea reportedly need Juventus left-back Alex Sandro to tell the Old Lady he wants to leave the club if they are to have any chance of signing the Brazilian.  

According to Simon Jones of MailOnline, the Blues have already had a £45 million bid for Sandro rejected. But the situation could change if the defender requests a move, as the Italian club's director general Giuseppe Marotta has said they will not force any player to stay against their wishes:

"A substantial offer has arrived. We have no intention of selling anyone, but if a player decides to leave, as has happened in previous years, then at the end of the day he has to go, because we don't keep anyone against their will. But at the moment there are no such situations and I hope nobody will leave."

Jones added Sandro is being targeted by Chelsea to provide competition for Marcos Alonso in the left wing-back role.

The Blues need to add greater depth on both the left and right defensive flanks, especially as they will have UEFA Champions League football to deal with again next term.

Sandro, 26, would be an ideal addition as he boasts excellent defensive and attacking attributes, and he can play as a traditional full-back, a wing-back or even on the left side of midfield, per Squawka:

It is unclear whether he would be open to departing Juve.

Sandro only joined the club from FC Porto in 2015 and has already won two league-and-cup doubles in Italy, as well as reaching the Champions League final with Juve last season.

The Serie A giants, though, are reportedly making contingency plans should they lose Sandro, and they have contacted Borussia Dortmund about 23-year-old Raphael Guerreiro, per beIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri:

It is far from guaranteed that Chelsea will sign Sandro. The fact Juve turned down an offer worth £45 million is indicative of their keen desire to keep him.

But if the Blues can persuade Sandro to request a move, they may be able to pull off one of the signings of the summer.