Juventus will allow Leonardo Bonucci to join Chelsea for Cesc Fabregas and world record £50million fee for a defender
Antonio Conte may finally get his hands on No1 target in summer 2017, but will have to convince Roman Abramovich
JUVENTUS are ready to allow Leonard Bonucci to join Chelsea — but only for a deal involving Cesc Fabregas plus a record sum of money for a defender.
Antonio Conte is desperate to bring the Italian to Stamford Bridge and had a bid just shy of £50million rejected in the summer.
Juventus boss, Max Allegri, sees Fabregas as the perfect replacement for the ageing Claudio Marchisio — and the man to ultimately fill the playmaker role vacated by Andrea Pirlo in 2015.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona man is dynamic and can dictate a game from deep, which is perfect for Serie A.
While, at 29, age is not on his side, Allegri believes he can still get another five years out of him.
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Antonio Conte is reluctant to let Cesc Fabregas leave Chelsea despite little playing time.
But Fabregas would be perfect for the role of sitting in front of the defence in Juve’s 4-3-3 formation — or even the 3-5-2, which is often adapted.
The Bianconeri’s Champions League commitments mean a swap deal in January would not happen — but a deal could be on for the summer.
Bonucci would replace Gary Cahill at Chelsea, who has not done enough to convince Conte.
A swap deal would suit both parties, with the Italian solving the Blues’ defensive woes — and Fabregas returning order to a midfield which has seen much upheaval in recent transfer windows.