Chelsea to return for Serie A defender in January

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte will reportedly lodge a fresh attempt to sign Juventus defender Alex Sandro in the New Year after missing out on his services in the summer.

The Premier League holders had made multiple approaches for the 26-year-old during the summer transfer window but ultimately found no success.

The Blues were prepared to pay a fee in excess of £50m for Sandro, but they were forced to pull out with Juventus holding out for at least £60m for the left wing-back.

According to Italian outlet TMW, Conte could retain his interest in Sandro in January despite pursuing Davide Zappacosta from Torino on transfer deadline day.

Zappacosta has played as a backup to Victor Moses in the right wing-back spot, and Conte appears keen on providing competition for Marcos Alonso in the opposite direction.

Chelsea have made a good start to the Premier League campaign, and they are currently three points adrift of leaders Manchester City and Manchester United in second place.