Chelsea prepared to break record for Juventus full-back Alex Sandro?

Chelsea are reportedly willing to break the transfer record for a defender in order to sign Juventus full-back Alex Sandro.

Blues boss Antonio Conte has been pursuing the Brazilian defender for much of the summer window, but has reportedly been dismissed by the Old Lady at least once with a bid being turned down.

According to The Times, it is believed that Conte is now prepared to return to Juve with an improved bid of £61m for Sandro, which would see Chelsea eclipse the £49.3m Manchester City recently paid for wing-back Benjamin Mendy.

Conte has already made clear his intention to add a number of fresh faces to his Chelsea squad ahead of the new season, following the arrivals of Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Willy Caballero.

The Blues will begin the defence of their Premier League crown when they face Sean Dyche's Burnley on August 12.