According to latest reports, Manchester City Boss Pep Guardiola has stepped up his interest in landing Serie A centre-half Leonardo Bonucci as the Spaniard plans a major remodelling of the squad before next season.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, who had tasted success in Spain and Germany prior to this quite easily, has found himself in deep waters in the English Premier League. The existing City squad and the fast gameplay in England have proved it difficult for his side to execute the attractive football, he is known for.
As a result, City now sit fourth in the league table collecting 61 points from 31 games, with a real danger of losing out on the top four position. They have conceded 35 goals so far, which is the second highest among the top five. Faltering defence and atrocious goalkeeping have led City to drop points from numerous winning positions and the boss would want to make sure it doesn’t repeat next season.
With defence being the key area under the scanner this season, Guardiola is expected to shell out hugely for improving it. And with one of their most important enforcer, Nicolas Otamendi, linked with a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid, the manager is looking to replace the Argentine with an equally potent centre-half.
The 29-year-old Italian international has enjoyed a good seven-year stint with the Serie A giants before finding a difference of opinions with new boss Max Allegri. And it was after a fallout with the boss that reports of the player leaving Old Lady first surfaced. It has also led to the manager benching him in some matches.
The situation has alerted many clubs with Chelsea and Real Madrid waiting patiently for any developments. Real have seen their transfer ban lifted next summer and they are expected to go all out for a world class player, which fits Bonucci. Chelsea, on the other hand, has Antonio Conte, Bonucci’s former manager in Juventus and the national team, who shares a good rapport with the player.
Bonucci still has just five years left on his contract, but with young talents like Mattia Caldara and Daniele Rugani impressing on a regular basis, Juventus might be tempted to let one of their best players go if a lucrative offer comes their way.
Juventus are expected to let him go for £40 million, which is an easy offer to meet for all his prime suitors, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City. And it will be down to the manager’s reputation, which would be an influencing factor.
