Arsenal face a major task in hand this summer to bolster their squad and stand more competitive across all competitions next season, following a disappointing venture in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
The Gunners need to complete a major squad overhaul to build a side capable of winning the league title and the defence is likely to be a focus in their summer activity, particularly as they eye a top-class left-back.
Fresh reports suggest that Arsenal are expressing interest in Juventus full-back Alex Sandro, who’d cost a minimum of £30m, and it’s clear the 26-year-old Brazilian would be a tremendous addition to the Gunners’ back-line.
Sandro has been an ever-present figure for Juventus in the Serie A this season, as the Turin giants march towards another league title, and the South American ace has also been influential in the club’s push to the Champions League final- where they’ll face defending champions Real Madrid next month.
Arsenal’s current first-choice left-back is veteran Spaniard Nacho Monreal, a player who’s lacked consistency in recent years, and the addition of Sandro would be a significant upgrade- especially if the Gunners continue to utilise a three-man defender.
Sandro would excel in a wing-back role for the Gunners, providing support in attacking areas but also remaining solid in defence, and he’d complete an exciting-looking Arsenal back-line alongside the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi.
Luring a player like Sandro to North London would also be a major statement of intent from Arsene Wenger’s side, as it would show the Gunners are still capable of snatching players from top European rivals.
Sandro would arguably be a bigger capture than Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, who arrived from Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, as the Spanish duo were keen to offload both stars- whereas Sandro is a crucial part of Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
Costing a reported €26m in 2015, Juventus would receive a decent return for the South American’s services and he may feel he’s won all he can with the Italian giants if they clinch the Champions League in Cardiff next month; as he’s already lifted the Serie A and Coppa Italia with the Turin outfit.
However, Arsenal will face competition in the market should the possibility of signing Sandro arise as the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea are credited with an interest, both of whom could be able to offer significantly higher wages and Champions League football.
Arsenal will need to make their move swiftly if they have any chance of pulling off a deal and signing Sandro would also help them in their own negotiations to keep top-players like Ozil and Alexis at the club, as it would show Arsenal’s true ambitions.