Pep Guardiola ‘wants to bring Leonardo Bonucci to Manchester City’

Pep Guardiola is reportedly eager to bring Leonardo Bonucci to Manchester City, but faces a fight to prise him away from Juventus.

City have been left short at centre-back this season following the departure of Vincent Kompany and the long-term injury suffered by Aymeric Laporte last August.

And 32-year-old Bonucci could be the solution to solving what has become a problem position for Guardiola, who has seemingly lost faith in Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.

Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a move for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci

Pep Guardiola has long been an admirer of 32-year-old Italy international Bonucci

But Juventus are determined not to let the talismanic defender go, according to Calcio Mercarto.

Maurizio Sarri sees the Italy international as indispensable to his plans in Turin.

Guardiola has long been an admirer of Bonucci, and said back in 2017: ‘He’s an exceptional player in terms of character, personality – in terms of everything.’

Bonucci controversially left Juventus in 2017 but returned after just one season at AC Milan.

Since his return he has been an integral part of the side, making 41 appearances last year and 34 already in 2019-20.  

Manchester City have been beset by injury problems to Aymeric Laporte this season