Chelsea to seal world-record £61m Alex Sandro deal but struggle to persuade Leonardo Bonucci to leave Juventus

Chelsea are on course to sign Alex Sandro for a club-record £61million after the left-back told Juventus he wants to move to Stamford Bridge.

Juventus have offered a new deal to convince the Brazil international to stay, but can't match the £150,000-a-week wages that Chelsea are prepared to pay.

The Serie A champions haven't given up the fight yet, but have started to look for potential replacements.

Coach Antonio Conte wants the highly-rated 26-year-old to strengthen the left wing-back position at £61m - a world-record fee for a defender - even though Marcos Alonso played a major role in the club winning the Premier League title last term.

Conte faces a tougher task to persuade Leonardo Bonucci to come with Sandro though, as the Italy star is leaning towards staying in Turin.

The Chelsea manager wants to buy one centre-half this summer and is keen for either Bonucci or Southampton's Virgil van Dijk to join the squad.

But Southampton are trying to keep their prize asset and have put a £70m valuation on his head to discourage any bids.