Juventus interested for Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta is not ruling out a summer move for Alexis Sanchez, but acknowledged the Barcelona forward would prove costly.

Italian champions Juventus have been strongly linked with a bid to sign Sanchez, who left Serie A to join Barcelona from Udinese three years ago.

Reports have claimed that Juve have a €20million (£16.3m) deal lined up for the Chile international, but it is dependent upon Antonio Conte remaining as coach.

Conte's future is still be finalised, while Liverpool are also reported to have shown an interest in Sanchez, who opened the scoring in Saturday's title decider against Atletico Madrid.

Marotta appeared to suggest that Juventus would welcome the chance to sign Sanchez, but no decisions on player recruitment will be made until Conte's future is resolved.

"Sanchez is a great player and every top club would like him, so clearly Juventus would also love to have him," Marotta told Sky Italia.

"We must take into account he is also a very expensive player and it must also be seen what he wants.

"Juve are always linked with a lot of players. At the moment, we are waiting to define the situation with the coach, then we will try to look for flexible players."

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Alexis: Messi is the same as always

Alexis Sanchez has defended the form of Lionel Messi, insisting the Barcelona star is "the same as always" despite his recent goal drought.

Messi scored just once throughout October and failed to find the net again on Friday as Barca battled to a 1-0 win over city rivals Espanyol.

But Alexis maintains the Argentina international is contributing a huge amount to the side.

"Leo is in the same form as always. He hasn't been scoring goals but he has provided assists and taking on players. We think he's the same as always, playing very well," he was quoted as saying by AS.

Alexis converted Neymar's pinpoint cross for the only goal of the game at Camp Nou on Friday, taking the 24-year-old's tally to seven goals in nine Liga matches.

And he admits he was relieved to break the deadlock against a spirited visiting defence.

"It was a very difficult game as it was tough and physical for us," the former Udinese attacker said.

"All of Espanyol's players sat back behind the ball, but I go home happy with my goal. I was in the right place at the right time.

"We won and go home relaxed after getting three crucial points."

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Sanchez : I can still improve alot

Alexis Sanchez says he is feeling very well at Barcelona following his fine start to the 2013-14 campaign, but has insisted that he still has room for improvement.

The Chile international has netted two goals in three La Liga appearances so far this term, including the winner in Barcelona's 3-2 win over Sevilla last weekend, and he has made it clear that there is more to come in the remainder of the season.

"I feel the confidence of the coach and of my team-mates, which makes me feel very well out there on the pitch," Alexis was quoted as saying by La Tercera.

"But I still have room for improvement. I am not yet on top of my game."

Alexis joined Barcelona from Udinese in the summer of 2011 and has since made close to 100 appearances for the Catalans, winning one La Liga title and a Copa del Rey in the process.

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