Man City and Chelsea still trying to secure the services of Italian centre-back
Manchester City and Chelsea are set to lock horns in a race to sign Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, with both clubs resurrecting long-standing interest in the player, according to the Daily Star.
Bonucci was the subject of intense transfer speculation over the summer with several reports linking him to a move to the Premier League before he ultimately decided to stay with the Serie A champions.
However, Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte are both looking to strengthen their defences and may tempt the Italy international and give the 29-year-old another difficult decision to make.
Manchester City and Chelsea are set to lock horns in a race to sign Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, with both clubs resurrecting long-standing interest in the player, according to the Daily Star.
Bonucci was the subject of intense transfer speculation over the summer with several reports linking him to a move to the Premier League before he ultimately decided to stay with the Serie A champions.
However, Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte are both looking to strengthen their defences and may tempt the Italy international and give the 29-year-old another difficult decision to make.
Conte’s need for defensive reinforcements was laid bare on Saturday evening when Arsenal ripped his Chelsea side apart during a 3-0 defeat to the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium. With John Terry injured, Conte has grown concerned over the depth of his squad and feels the need to add an experienced, top-class defender to his ranks.
Guardiola, meanwhile, has prioritised the recruitment of a potential Vincent Kompany replacement and it is understood Bonucci features high on the list of prospective candidates. The Belgian is set for another extended spell on the sidelines and Guardiola may well instruct City’s Qatari owners to pursue the capture of Bonucci’s signature.
The major stumbling block in any potential deal is Bonucci’s £50m price-tag and the fact that Juventus remain reluctant not to conduct any business that may see one of world’s finest centre-halves depart Turin.
The intriguing element is that Bonucci previously revealed that he has been offered the chance to play in the Premier League before and admitted he was tempted by the opportunity. With his former manager Conte now at Stamford Bridge, the temptation may yet grow stronger.
“If I said that I wasn’t tempted this summer by an offer from England, above all for the coach that wanted me, then that would be a lie,” Bonucci told Mediaset Premium.
“But Juventus is my home and I am happy to have remained. My dream was to win with this shirt and now I am here, ready to improve as a player and challenge myself to make this team become a legend.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, has prioritised the recruitment of a potential Vincent Kompany replacement and it is understood Bonucci features high on the list of prospective candidates. The Belgian is set for another extended spell on the sidelines and Guardiola may well instruct City’s Qatari owners to pursue the capture of Bonucci’s signature.
The major stumbling block in any potential deal is Bonucci’s £50m price-tag and the fact that Juventus remain reluctant not to conduct any business that may see one of world’s finest centre-halves depart Turin.
The intriguing element is that Bonucci previously revealed that he has been offered the chance to play in the Premier League before and admitted he was tempted by the opportunity. With his former manager Conte now at Stamford Bridge, the temptation may yet grow stronger.
“If I said that I wasn’t tempted this summer by an offer from England, above all for the coach that wanted me, then that would be a lie,” Bonucci told Mediaset Premium.
“But Juventus is my home and I am happy to have remained. My dream was to win with this shirt and now I am here, ready to improve as a player and challenge myself to make this team become a legend.”
Chelsea's Italian manager eyes sensational double deal
Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on Antoine Griezmann and Antonio Rudiger as Antonio Conte plots a major revamp of his squad, according to ESPN.
Atletico Madrid striker Griezmann, as well as Roma defender Rudiger, are believed to be high on Conte’s transfer wishlist ahead of the next two transfer windows.
The Italian manager has allegedly held talks with owner Roman Abramovich over strengthening his side following a run of three league matches without victory.
Reports on Tuesday appeared to suggest that Abramovich is willing to bankroll a spending spree at Stamford Bridge in a bid to make Chelsea more competitive.
And both Griezmann and Rudiger are rumoured to be Conte’s top two targets as he plans to make his side stronger at both ends of the field.
Despite speculation linking him with a move away from Atletico, France international Griezmann claims he is happy to remain at the Vicente Calderon and continue to learn from mentor Diego Simeone.
The striker was linked with summer moves to Manchester United and PSG, but remained in Spain after Simeone committed his future to last season’s Champions League runners-up.
With no European football on offer at Chelsea this season, it remains to be seen whether Griezmann would swap Atletico for London in the winter transfer window.
Meanwhile, Rudiger was deemed an early transfer target for Conte during the last transfer window.
However, the 23-year-old damaged his knee ligaments ahead of the new campaign – scuppering any potential move in the process.
Such a setback has not deterred Conte, if rumours are to be believed, with the former Juventus manager reportedly keen on prising Rudiger away from current employers Roma.
Burnley centre back Michael Keane has also been linked with a move to the capital as Chelsea continue to look suspect defensively – Conte’s men having kept just one clean sheet so far this term despite captain John Terry, Gary Cahill and David Luiz being available at centre-half to Conte.
Chelsea have £15m ready to bid for the defensive midfielder
As per the Daily Mail, Chelsea are reported to be interested in signing Santos defensive midfielder Thiago Maia In January.
As per the Daily Mail, Chelsea are reported to be interested in signing Santos defensive midfielder Thiago Maia In January.
The 19 year old Brazilian international was linked with a move to the London club in July before his participation in the Olympic Games – where he won a gold medal. Maia has represented Brazil at Under-17s, Under-20s and Under-23s levels.
Santos were reluctant to part company with their star player as their season doesn’t finish until December. Thiago Maia is contracted at the club until 2019 and the club do want to keep him.
Chelsea are prepared to pay £15m for the defensive midfielder.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been heavily linked with Martin Caceres, who is a free agent. The Blues are still looking to bolster their backline and the Uruguayan is reported to be their top target. The defender knows Chelsea boss Antonio Conte well as he played under the coach at Juventus. A deal is expected to be completed soon.
Chelsea have also made enquiries for Hoffenheim defender Niklas Sule about a possible bid next summer. The Germany international made his debut for his country against Finland last Wednesday. Napoli and Liverpool are also set to be interested in the Hoffenheim player.
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