Juventus are considering Hector Bellerín and Matteo Darmian to replace Dani Alves this summer. But here’s why the Italians should pursue Darmian instead of the 22-year-old.

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea and Manchester City on signing the Brazilian defender, just one year after his free transfer from Barcelona. As a result, Juventus are sounding out potential replacements.

Arsenal revealed Bellerín is not for sale, amid interest from Barcelona as well as Juventus – the latter of whom won the Serie A title and were Champions League runners-up – so the lure of challenging for major honours abroad could entice Bellerín.

A move to Turin could also help boost his defensive attributes too, as he’d be given an excellent level of defensive-minded coaching which would help him to continue developing.

At Arsenal, his attack-minded characteristics are encouraged and there’s a sense that against quality opposition, he’d struggle to mix attack with defence in Italy. He also doesn’t speak the language while his family have recently moved back to Spain. So if he were to move abroad a return to his homeland is more likely.

It’s unlikely Juventus would be prepared to spend a premium price on a right-back given they’re targeting more important positions, which is why the cheaper option in Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian makes more sense.

Darmian, 27, made over 100 Serie A appearances with Torino and would cost significantly less than Bellerín. First-team assurances are especially hard to come by under United manager Jose Mourinho and it’s unlikely that he’ll be a regular next season as a result. He would possibly be open to a return to his homeland.

Solid defensively and with plenty of years left in him as a professional, Darmian represents a more realistic target than Bellerín. The former joined United for around £13m and could leave for a figure close to that price this summer. It would be a shrewd signing from Juve’s perspective.