Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been linked this weekend with the signing of Leonardo Bonucci, in a swoop which may annoy his old employers, according to reports.
The Daily Star writes:
MANCHESTER UNITED manager Jose Mourinho is ready to risk upsetting his former club Chelsea by beating them to a deal for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci.
The 29-year-old has been one of the stand out performers at EURO 2016 displaying his full range of defensive and attacking skills. He has been part of the Juventus team which has won 5 series A titles in a row and ended as runner up to Barcelona in the Champions League final of 2015.
As you would expect from an Italian defender, Bonucci is a tough tackler who prioritises defending over any cavalier forward runs. But he is a wonderful passer of the ball, as he has exemplified beautifully in EURO 2016 in France, as Italy have so far confounded the sceptics with some excellent form.
Whether Bonucci, who has recently turned 29, would be the right fit for Manchester United is questionable. Moving to the pace of The Premier League at this stage of his career may be a bit of a shock for a man adjusted to Serie A.
And Manchester United fans could expect no more than 3 top years out of the defender before having to look elsewhere.
The brilliant businessmen at Juventus have valued the player at £50m and although the fee would surely be some way short of that, it’s an expensive move for a player who may already have passed his peak.
Leonardo Bonucci would be great for Manchester United next season but younger signings would possibly be a better fit for a club which is trying to build its next great team.
Here are some of Bonucci’s best moments in recent times.