Alex Sandro close to Chelsea move after Juventus sign Nice left-back Dalbert

Juventus' signing of Nice's left-back Dalbert Henrique is very possibly a replacement for Alex Sandro, who looks poised to join Chelsea after the Blues lodged an improved £62 million bid for the player.

Chelsea launched two bids for Sandro previously, one for £44 million and another for £53 million. Both bids were quickly turned down by Juventus and the club reiterated their desire to keep the same team that won the Serie A, Coppa Italia and reached the final of the Champions League.

However, the recent turn of events seems to have changed Juventus' decision. Dani Alves wants to leave Juventus and ply his trade in the Premier League before he retires and Manchester City have emerged as favorites as Alves fancies a reunion with former manager Pep Guardiola.  

The Italian champions are also likely to accept Chelsea's newest bid for Alex Sandro. According to Football Italia, Juventus' director general Beppe Marotta was quoted in an interview saying: "A substantial offer has arrived for Alex Sandro." 

"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." 

The "substantial offer" Marotta is talking about is likely Chelsea's £62 million bid. After failing with their previous two bids, Juventus will likely accept this one and have already bought a replacement for Sandro with the £14 million capture of Nice's left-back Dalbert Henrique. 

Football Italia also reported that Dalbert was on the radar of AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Sporting Lisbon but none of them were willing to meet the £14 million release clause.