Man City transfer chief Begiristain in Turin amid Sandro rumours

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain was in Turin to check out Juventus left-back Alex Sandro during the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, Goal understands.

City have identified Sandro as a viable option as they look to strengthen the full-back positions this summer.

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The Premier League club are yet to make a formal approach for the Brazilian, but it is believed they would be willing to pay a €50 million transfer fee.

Begiristain was at Juventus Stadium to see the Turin club progress to the Champions League final by beating Monaco 2-1 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate.

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City are also interested in Juve centre-back Leonardo Bonucci and right-back Dani Alves, who set up the first goal of the night and scored the second with a volley from outside the area.

Any move for Alves may hinge on whether City manage to attract Kyle Walker to the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola identified the need to bring in several new full-backs before he officially took charge at City, but began his first season in English football without signing a single one.

Reinforcements in that position are therefore a priority this summer and City are hopeful they have the edge in the race for Tottenham right-back Walker, who is rumoured to be unsettled at White Hart Lane.

And such is City's desire to provide Guardiola with the players he wants ahead of his second season at the Etihad, they may be willing to tempt Juve with a bid of around €100m for both Bonucci and Sandro.

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Sources close to the Italian champions insist they have no need to sell any of their star players, however.

Juve are understood to be especially keen to ward off interest in Sandro, not least as the 26-year-old is a relatively youthful presence in an ageing back-line, which includes Bonucci, 30, Giorgio Chiellini, 32, and Andrea Barzagli, 36.

But Goal understands that they have already made enquiries regarding Roma left-back Emerson, and would be willing to pay €25m for the 23-year-old should Sandro be sold.

Additional reporting by Sam Lee.