Heavily linked with a swoop for Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci this week, the Italian giants are preparing a £5 million-a-year-deal for the defender to fend off Chelsea’s interest, report The Sun.
Rumours have suggested Antonio Conte is plotting a £60 million swoop for the Italian international which if pulled off, would represent the world’s most expensive deal for a defender.
However, it appears both Chelsea and fellow suitors Manchester City face an uphill battle to tempt the 29-year-old to the Premier League with the Bianconeri initiating negotiations over a new £100,000-a-week contract.
Regarded as one of the finest centre back’s in world football right now, Bonucci has won five Serie A titles, one Champions League, two Coppa Italia’s and three Supercoppa Italiana’s since signing for the club back in 2010.
With Gary Cahill and David Luiz looking shaky in John Terry’s absence lately, it appears as if the Blues are still looking for a true successor to the former England captain.
Despite it feeling like he’s been around forever, the fact Bonucci only turns 30 next May means the Blues would still be receiving a player at the peak of his powers.