Chelsea are considering making a move for Juventus centre back Leonardo Bonucci if they cannot secure a deal for top defensive target Virgil van Dijk, according to the Guardian.
The newspaper claim on their website that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has placed the 30-year-old Italian and 25-year-old Dutch international on his shortlist for a central defender, with both said to cost upwards of £50million.
However, any move for the 70-time-capped Italian would go against the Blues’ own transfer stance, with the club holding a policy of offering players in their 30s one year extensions as opposed to long-term deals.
Bonucci played a key role for the Turin based side last season, making 29 Serie A and 11 Champions League appearances as he helped them secure the domestic title for a sixth consecutive time, as well as finish as runners up in Europe’s top competition.
The former Inter Milan youngster has been at Juventus for seven years, having made 227 appearances across all competitions, but the Guardian claim that the Italian club could be willing to facilitate a move.
However, Chelsea are only likely to make a move for Bonucci if they cannot secure their top target, Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, with top journalist Gianluco Di Marzio claiming on his website that the Blues are willing to pay up to £60million for his signature.
Di Marzio also claimed that van Dijk was Chelsea’s top summer priority.
The transfer fee of £50million-plus for either Bonucci or van Dijk would also break the club’s transfer record, currently held by Spanish striker Fernando Torres following his £50million arrival from Premier League rivals Liverpool.