'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAnKH/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAhEAABAwMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMRBAUSAAYhURMxYf/aAAgBAQABPwCzDdbhWW6iaUGGqhfEZVByOaIRQuMr6FOU6+6c21uBHDQLlgE8C22mIp0klMa//8QAGREAAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAxEAAQIh/9oACAECAQE/ADE3xWp//8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgADEf/aAAgBAwEBPwB3ILJ//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the rumour?
If reports by the Mirror are to be believed, Jose Mourinho will attempt to sign Juventus left-back Alex Sandro this summer. He is also weighing up the option of including Matteo Darmian as a makeweight to soften the deal.
In case you didn’t know...
Alex Sandro joined Juventus for €26 million in 2015. Over the last three years, he has become a mainstay at left back and has caught the eye of many top clubs. He has won back to back league titles and league cups since then and finished runner-up to Real Madrid in last year's Champions League as well.
Matteo Darmian was a Louis van Gaal buy at Manchester United. The player arrived in 2015 from Torino for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £12.7 million. Despite a bright start, he has been far too inconsistent and has fallen down the pecking order under Mourinho. It is widely believed that he is heading for the exit door.
And as a bit of luck, Juventus are one of the clubs interested in the Italian. A cash plus player deal to bring Alex Sandro to Old Trafford is a possibility this summer. Although his valuation is around £36 million, Juventus will definitely demand a lot more if they want to part with the 27-year-old. United are reportedly ready to double his wages to £145,000 a week.
The heart of the matter
Manchester need to sort out their left back issue soon. Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Daley Blind have been deployed there but none of them has managed play consistently well. Shaw was coming on the back of multiple injuries and it may take a bit of time to bring him back to his best. Blind is lacking the much-needed pace to become a regular left back under Mourinho and Young is excellent in one week and poor in the next.
The team also lacks quality crosses from the wide areas into the box, particularly for Lukaku who is very strong in the air. Sandro would be a perfect addition to the squad because he ticks all boxes.
Rumour rating: 7/10
Many top clubs are in the running for Sandro's signature and Juventus may struggle to keep hold of him. Manchester United may have an edge over other potential suitors because they are willing to include Darmian in the deal, a player Juventus are interested in and who would serve as an instant replacement.
Video: The best of Sandro this season
Author’s take
Sandro may be open to a new challenge and Juventus may be willing to sell him if his valuation is met and a replacement is identified. A deal with United will meet both clubs' demands and United may be able to snap up one of Europe's most coveted defenders who will make their defence a lot more stronger.
