SANDRO’S BRIDGE WORK

CHELSEA NEARING CLUB-RECORD £61M DEAL FOR JUVE STAR

CHELSEA are on course to sign Alex Sandro for a club record £61m after the left-back told Juventus he wants to move to Stamford Bridge.

Juventus have offered the Brazil international (right) a new deal but cannot match the £150,000 a week Chelsea are ready to pay.

The Serie A champions have started to look for potential replacements.

Coach Antonio Conte wants the 26-year-old to strengthen at left wing-back, even though Marcos Alonso played a major role in the club’s title success last term.

Conte faces a tougher task to persuade Leonardo Bonucci to also move from Juventus as the Italy international is leaning towards staying in Turin.

The Chelsea boss wants to buy one centre-half and is keen for it to be either Bonucci or Virgil van Dijk. Southampton are fighting to keep Van Dijk and have tried to discourage any bids by valuing him at £70m.

Chelsea have yet to agree personal terms with Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and will not sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United until they do.

Bakayoko was expected to become Chelsea’s first big buy of the summer after the club agreed a £35.1m fee with Monaco.

They have offered the France international a five-year contract but the 22-year-old is not happy with the wage proposal.

Bakayoko is believed to be on less than £20,000 a week and wants a significant increase. It is thought the issue will be resolved so he can join Chelsea.

Bournemouth are confident they will sign Chelsea defender Nathan Ake for £20m.