Manchester City are not far away from a Champions League spot in the Premier League points table next season but that will be enough to satisfy Pep Guardiola. This season does not measure up to every other season since the Spanish manager started his coaching career as this season is the only season to end without him winning a trophy and he is making mega plans to get back in line with the record.
This has seen him linked with some of the big names in Europe and according to reports made by The Mirror, Manchester City have made an offer of £50m for Juventus defender Alex Sandro. There were speculations of the 26-year old moving to the Etihad a couple of years ago but Juventus were not done with him after just a year at the Italian club. However Guardiola is now certain that he is a right target and is ready to add him to the rank at the Etihad.
Born and bred in Brazil, Sandro rose to prominence in his one year loan spell at Santos, which got him a place in FC Porto as a youngster. The Estadio do Dragao was home to him for four years before he secured a move to Turin in 2015 and has break forth into the first team since then at the Juventus Stadium.
A natural left-back, Sandro plays the wing-back comfortably and he is a player that can be relied on in tough games. He has picked up two goals and four assists in 26 Serie A games this season, a good result from a defender. He is a linchpin in Massimiliano Allegri’s squad and has helped them draw close to their sixth Serie A title in row and more importantly a place in the Champions League.
Known for his super instincts, the Brazil international is a good dribbler with a good vision. His key passes average makes some midfielders envious of him while his ability to put in crosses from wide areas is every striker’s dream. He has all the quality to make Pep Guardiola’s team win silverware again but Guardiola’s interest in Sandro stems mainly from his exceptional defensive skills.
He is strong and tall and he is ready to risk himself for the team when the situation calls for it. Playing for a well structured team like Juventus has only added to Sandro experience and has made him more effective between both boxes at the top tier.
The likes of Gael Clichy and Aleksander Kolarov are not expected to be regular next season and Guardiola has limited option at left-back. So it is certain he will be buying a player in the summer and Sandro is a viable option. Though his price tag of £50m might be on the high side but at 26, he is player who can be relied on for a long time to come and could help raise City to the standard of their manager.