Allegri: Chelsea target Sandro will not leave Juventus this summer

Speculation over Alex Sandro's future was seemingly brought to an end Monday with Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri's refusal to part ways with the Brazilian.

Sandro had been one of the most coveted defenders when the transfer market opened earlier this summer, with Premier League champion Chelsea believed to be the front-runner to sign the 26-year-old.

Despite attracting bids as reportedly high as £61 million, which would have made him the most expensive defender in football history, Allegri insisted that Sandro will remain in Turin where he believes the full-back can continue to evolve into one of the elite players in the world.

"Alex Sandro is a Juve player, he's extraordinary and he's not moving from here," Allegri told reporters, courtesy of ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell, after Juve's pre-season win over AS Roma.

"He's improved a lot since he arrived here and he still has margin for improvement. Together with Marcelo, I think he is the best full-back in the world."

Sandro appeared to be on the verge of a move to England last month after Juventus chief executive officer Giuseppe Marotta revealed that Chelsea had submitted a "substantial offer" for the defender.

Reports also indicated that Sandro was eager to join Chelsea, who would have allegedly offered him a weekly salary of £150,000.

Sandro emerged as a vital contributor to the team's success shortly after his arrival from FC Porto for €26 million in 2015 when he supplanted Patrice Evra as Allegri's preferred choice on the left.

His pace up the wing and knack for getting involved in the attack were also important to Juve's success last term when the Bianconeri won the league and Coppa Italia before falling to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.