Sandro close to PSG move; Juve eye Marcelo as replacement
AS has learned that Juventus left back Alex Sandro is a prime target of PSG and the two clubs have already opened talks on the player.
Juventus full-back Alex Sandro could be close to signing for PSG for next season. According to what AS has learned, the Brazilian is a top priority for the Parisian club as they look strengthen their squad for the next campaign. Both clubs have opened talks on the defender, who is expected to carry a pricetag in the region of 50 million euros.
In December, Sandro renewed his contract with the Serie A giants until 2023, an agreement that seemed to put an end to their search for a left back. However, if the player’s move to PSG materializes, the Italian champions will be on the hunt for his replacement in the summer transfer market.
That scenario could directly affect Real Madrid as Juventus will step up their efforts to sign Marcelo – something which Cristiano Ronaldo has been pushing for since he moved to Turin last summer.
Marcelo's situation at Madrid
Marcelo, on the other hand, has changed his perspective at Madrid since the return of Zinedine Zidane to the coach’s bench. After having been ostracized by previous coach Santiago Solari, who was sacked in February, the Brazilian defender had reportedly put in a transfer request, with Juventus being his desired destination. But since Zidane has returned him to the starting line-up, the 30-year-old is more in favour of remaining at the Bernabéu.
However, although he has regained his starting position under Zidane, his performance has still remained well below that of previous seasons and the club will have to assess Marcelo’s situation come the summer.
Whatever decision Madrid make regarding Marcelo, what seems certain is that the departure of Alex Sandro would prompt Juventus to intensify their efforts to sign the Brazilian. However he is not the only target of the Italian club, who also have their eye on Benfica’s Spanish left back, Álex Grimaldo. The 23-year-old has impressed in Portugal. And Benfica know it will be hard to keep him with suitors of the likes of Juventus lurking.