Chelsea see Alex Sandro offer rejected by Juventus as Antonio Conte continues to be frustrated in transfer market

Conte has been linked with a move for Juve’s Sandro with the Italian press suggesting last week the Serie A champions had turned down an offer worth as much as £58m

Saturday 17 June 2017 06:40 EDT
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Alex Sandro has been linked with a move to Chelsea
Alex Sandro has been linked with a move to Chelsea (Getty)

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Chelsea have seen a "very good" offer for Juventus' Alex Sandro rejected.

The Premier League title-winning Blues are in the market for reinforcements with Antonio Conte keen to bolster a squad that must contend with the added stresses of European football next term.

Conte has been linked with a move for Juve’s Sandro with the Italian press suggesting last week the Serie A champions had turned down an offer worth as much as £58m.

And the club’s general director, Giuseppe Marotta, confirmed they have turned down interest from Stamford Bridge this summer.

"Our desire is to not sell any of our most important players," he told Corriere dello Sport. "We said no to a very good offer from Chelsea for Alex Sandro.

"But we know that we are competing with clubs that are in a position to offer wages that are not rational for us. And players are always their own boss. I do not know how Alex Sandro reacted."

Meanwhile, Chelsea are understood to be relaxed about stories indicating manager Conte is ready to walk away from the club.

The coach is reportedly frustrated at the lack of incoming transfers secured this summer, and is said to be holding off extending his contract until certain conditions are met.

Conte is currently on holiday, his first since agreeing to take over in the spring of 2016, and expected sporting director Michael Emenalo and transfer negotiator Marina Granovskaia to strengthen the squad in his absence.

But while a number of signings are close - like that of Romelu Lukaku or Tiemoue Balayoko - there is an annoyance that thus far Chelsea haven't added to their squad.

The Italian believes that Chelsea will need to significantly strengthen if they are to defend their league title and, more importantly, challenge in the Champions League. Conte has never tasted European success as a coach but is incredibly driven to do so. He feels as if his stunning debut campaign in west London should be enough to show what he could do with greater resources.

But that is not to say he is on the brink of leaving and Chelsea insiders remain confident of getting their business done this summer.

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