Despite recently falling out of the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich, Serie A giants Juventus could be gearing for a reload in an attempt to claim European football’s ultimate prize.
A report from Don Balon that Juve are “reportedly considering a lucrative summer move for Arsenal’s winger, Alexis Sanchez.” The report also states that “Juventus would be willing to pay around €40 million to lure Sanchez.”
Stellar career so far
The Chilean attacker is certainly no stranger to Italian football. Sanchez was on Udinese’s books for five years. It was with the club where the 27-year-old made a name for himself in Europe, eventually earning a move to Barcelona. With the Catalan club, the forward often played second fiddle to the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Pedro, and was sold to Arsenal to make room for Luis Suarez.
Sanchez got his career in North London off to a terrific start, bagging 19 goals and handing out a further nine assists across all competitions. The former Udinese star has continued to score and dish out assists this season, with 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions.
Potential fit in Turin
The fact that Sanchez can play out wide, in addition to centrally, make him an exciting potential addition to Max Allegri’s squad. One possibility would see Chilean serving as a replacement for Álvaro Morata if the Spaniard departs. However, that’s a big “if,” and Sanchez could just as easily fit in as an attacking midfielder out wide, or through the center of the pitch.
Juve have some considerable depth where midfielders are concerned, but don’t have many players able to play in a central attacking role. Given his athletic ability, Paul Pogba probably could, but he’s needed in a deeper role. Fellow midfielders Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira and Stefano Sturaro are also better suited in deeper roles in the center of the park.
Hernanes and Roberto Pereyra are the only players to have featured as central attacking midfielders season. Both seem better suited as key bench cogs than weekly starters, so the addition of Sanchez would certainly be a welcome one.