Juventus have reportedly set their sights on Patrick van Aanholt to replace Alex Sandro, who is being heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.
According to a report by The Sun, Patrick van Aanholt is the subject of interest from Juventus, who could be in the market for a left-back in the summer transfer window. The former Chelsea defender is being eyed by the Bianconeri as a possible replacement for Alex Sandro, a target for Manchester United.
Patrick van Aanholt has been a journeyman of sorts in his nine-year long senior career till date. Having initially broken into the Chelsea first-team setup after two years in the club’s youth setup, the player became the typical Chelsea academy graduate, and was sent out on several loan spells before he was finally sold to Sunderland in the summer of 2014.
After a three-year spell at the Stadium of Light, van Aanholt made his way to Crystal Palace 18 months ago, and he has gone on to find some stability in his career at Selhurst Park. This past season, the former Chelsea player was one of the standout for the Eagles, making 32 appearances across all competitions while also bagging 5 goals and an assist.
But, after impressing for Crystal Palace in the last season-and-a-half, he seems to have attracted interest from beyond England. Juventus have set their sights on van Aanholt, and are considering him as a possible replacement for Alex Sandro, who has been heavily linked with a summer move to Manchester United.
There have been a few contrasting reports as far as Sandro’s move to Manchester United is concerned, with some claiming that the deal is off after some complication in Juventus’s pursuit of Matteo Darmian. Of late though, there have been suggestions that the deal might be on, with contradictions on Luke Shaw’s position at Manchester United as well.
With the future of Kwadwo Asamoah being uncertain as well – the Ghanaian has been linked with Inter Milan – Juventus will have the need to sign a left-back anyway irrespective of whether Sandro joins Manchester United or not. The former Chelsea defender is, thus, a viable target for the Bianconeri.
With van Aanholt also cementing his place in the Netherlands National Squad, it is clear that he is enjoying the best phase of his career, and could revel in a system like Juventus’s. But, with three years still left on his current deal at Crystal Palace, the Chelsea academy graduate is unlikely to come for a cheap amount.
The report suggests that Juventus are preparing a £25 million bid to land van Aanholt as they prepare for Sandro’s possible departure to Manchester United. Only time will tell if the figure is enough to land the former Chelsea man, but he is certainly an attractive proposition for Juventus.
