Chelsea could sign Leonardo Bonucci for £42million as Juventus consider defender ‘sellable’ and want to build long-term defensive partnership between Daniele Rugani and Mattia Caldara
Aside from Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Rugani, Alex Sandro and Marko Pjaca, everyone is for sale at the right price at Juve
ANTONIO CONTE is ready to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Leonardo Bonucci at Juventus by making a summer move.
The Italian defender publicly fell out with manager, Max Allegri — and was subsequently dropped for the Champions League win in Porto.
On-loan Mattia Caldara is excelling at Atalanta, while there are high hopes for Daniele Rugani.
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And, the emergence of the 22-year-old centre-backs means Juventus would be willing to allow Bonucci to leave at the right price in the summer.
Despite being commonly regarded as one of the best defenders around, he is 30 in May, and the club’s policy is to get the best possible deals for their stars.
Should a bid of around £42million come in from Chelsea, it would be difficult to turn down.
Aside from Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Rugani and other highly-rated youngsters, Alex Sandro and Marko Pjaca, everyone is for sale at the right price.
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While Chelsea have run away with the Premier League this year, Conte is under no illusions he needs to bulk up his defence in the summer.
He is looking at one marquee defender and Bonucci would be his ideal signing.
Conte established him as the rock at the heart of the Juventus defence, which is typically considered the most solid around.
And he then used Bonucci as the defensive lynchpin in his Italy side.
Conte is hoping to stay at Chelsea for years and is looking to build the team in his own image.
Juventus have been the European kings of finding defensive talent and believe they have two gems in Caldara and Rugani, which could see Bonucci make a shock departure.
The 29-year-old was close to switch to Manchester City in the summer, but admits his love for the Serie A leaders persuaded him to stay.
However, despite everyone at Juventus insisting there is no issue following the fall-out, it may just have convinced both the time is right to go their own ways.
But only for the right price.