OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Juventus sign left back Alex Sandro from Porto

From afar, it looked as though Juventus didn't even have a chance to sign Porto at this point a week or so ago. There were other names that were being thrown about, with the only opportunity to see the 24-year-old Brazilian left back in a Juventus jersey coming in something that was played virtually, not in actual reality.

Well, maybe we should re-think all of that now.

Here's the most interesting part of it all. Alex Sandro is no longer "Porto left back Alex Sandro." Nah, Alex Sandro is now "Juventus left back Alex Sandro." Feels good, man, feels good. The official word on Juve's latest summer transfer, courtesy of the club's official website:

Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that the agreement with Futebol Clube Do Porto SAD for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player Alex Sandro Lobo Silva has been finalised. The consideration for the acquisition is € 26 million payable in 3 financial years.

Juventus and the player have signed a 5-year contract of employment.

OFFICIAL: Alex Sandro completes a switch from Porto, penning a five-year contract: http://t.co/AUrNODw6c9 #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/HIZaRfHuJN

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 20, 2015

Beppe Marotta saw an opportunity with Sandro reportedly turning down a contract extension at Porto and pounced on this new development like a damn dog with its favorite toy. And just like said pooch and dog toy, Marotta got exactly what he wanted when he initiated talks with Porto — a new left back that has the chance to be in Turin a long, long time.

At 24, Sandro is the latest young and talented signing to join Juventus in the current transfer window. And, for that matter, just think about all the moves Marotta and Juventus have made where they've spent good money on high-quality — as well as young players — just over the last 12 or 14 months  There's the major one in Paulo Dybala this summer that could push €40 million. There's Álvaro Morata last summer. Add in bringing Daniele Rugani back after buying his contract in full, signing Stefano Sturaro and Simone Zaza the last two summers and you've got a young nucleus that's only getting bigger and bigger.

And, according to Marotta himself, there's likely more on the way.

But back to Sandro. At the age of 24, he is now Juventus' long-term solution to a position that hasn't had a long-term solution in quite some time. There is a lot of money being paid to bring him to Turin. And it's definitely more than what was reported a few days ago in the Italian media. It's a hefty investment, but one that is needed to bring in a player like Sandro.

So, welcome, Alex Sandro. May all those qifs and YouTube highlights we're seeing from your Porto days become all the more plentiful now that you're set to make your Juve debut in the very near future.